PEORIA, Ill. — One of three coronavirus testing sites opened on Tuesday in Peoria, with two more opening this month.
Heartland Health Services CEO Sharon Adams said the location that opened on Tuesday, April 21 is at their location at 2321 N. Wisconsin Ave.
“The hours of operation will be 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday,” Adams said. “And, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.”
The second site will open on Saturday, April 25 at the Peoria City/County Health Department on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The last site will open at the John H. Gwynn Jr. Park on Monday, April 27.
All three locations will be outdoors rain or shine, with both drive-up and walk-up services. If citizens come in the drive-up, they will remain inside their vehicles.
Individuals that want a test will be put into four groups, depending on exposure to the virus.
“One deals with shelter individuals, the homeless shelters. The second group deals with people with symptoms and known exposure. And, the third group deals with chronic health conditions, those who have those conditions that put them at risk for complications from COVID. And, the fourth group are front-line workers,” Adams said.
Individuals must show symptoms of COVID-19 to be tested.
A private lab in Pekin will be the location where the specimens collected are sent, and they have promised a 24-hour result time.
Adams said they are continuing to work with the state of Illinois as they figure out how many tests will be needed, and they have asked for 150 tests per day at each site.
Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth said it is exciting.
“To stand with the local partners that are going to be leading the effort to ensure the individuals in this community have access to COVID testing in a way that has not been available up until this point,” Gordon-Booth said.
Those wishing to be tested do not have to live in the City of Peoria or Peoria County.
