As the Omicron variant adds gasoline to the COVID-19 fire, access to testing is becoming a challenge, with home kits scarce and some testing sites overwhelmed with people.
During a media briefing on Monday, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike urged people to get tested if they have even mild symptoms that could be related to COVID-19, but she also suggested being cautious about popup testing sites, noting that some might not be doing what they advertise.
“Some communities are seeing popup testing which are helping fill the demand for testing,” she said. “We do want to urge some caution with some of these clinics. There unfortunately are those who are taking advantage of these crazy times to try to scam people. So if you have any doubts about the testing site you’re looking at, ask some questions. what lab is the testing site using? when will you receive results and from whom?”
She said the best testing options might be pharmacies and the health department sponsored locations. Below is a list of testing sites in or near Homewood and Flossmoor provided by IDPH.
At the briefing, Gov. J.B. Pritzker also pushed for people to get vaccinated, including booster shots, noting that hospitals statewide have more COVID-19 patients that at any time since the pandemic began.
“The unvaccinated are the ones filling up 85% of our COVID hospital beds and 95% of our ICU beds and nearly 100% of our ventilators,” he said.
The surging Omicron variant of the virus is much more contagious than the previously dominant Delta variant and is better able to infect vaccinated people. However, people who are fully vaccinated, including a booster, are well protected against severe disease that might require hospitalization, according to health experts.
Cook County Department of Public Health is sponsoring a vaccination event at Leak & Sons Funeral Home, 18350 S. Pulaski Road, Jan. 6 through Jan. 8, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. Vaccines for ages 5 and up will be available for first dose, second dose or booster.
On Friday, Jan. 7, Homewood District 153 will provide students, parents and residents COVID-19 vaccines. The shots are free and will be offered from 3 to 6 p.m. at James Hart School, 18220 Morgan Ave. in Homewood.
In its newsletter on Monday, Axios Chicago listed some basic advice on testing:
- IDPH advises using testing sites on its list and avoiding sites that don’t share the name of their partner lab.
- While IDPH doesn’t regulate the testing sites, it can investigate the labs they partner with. Those labs should all have Clinical Labs Improvement Act (CLIA) certification. Complaints can be called into the CLIA hotline at 1-800-252-4343.
- The Illinois AG’s office further warns that citizens shouldn’t use any center that asks for Social Security numbers.
- The Cook County Department of Public Health stresses that tests are free regardless of insurance and immigration status.
Free testing sites
IDPH South Holland Drive-thru.
South Suburban College 15800 State St., South Holland. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. No appointment required. Call 1-800-889-3931 for more information.
Walgreens
- 18300 Governors Highway, Homewood.
- 820 183rd St., Homewood.
- 18301 Pulaski Ave., Hazel Crest.
- 3120 Chicago Road, South Chicago Heights.
- 15940 Kedzie Ave., Markham.
- 5525 159th St., Oak Forest.
Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Screening questionnaire and appointment must be completed online (English or Spanish).
CVS
- 3200 Flossmoor Road, Flossmoor.
- 3400 Lincoln Highway, Olympia Fields.
- 16701 South Harlem Ave., Tinley Park.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Register online (English or Spanish).
UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Flossmoor Family Care Center
19550 Governors Highway. Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Testing by appointment only with no symptom requirements. Call 708-915-2683 for more information.
Christian Community Health Center
901 East. Sibley Ave., South Holland. Hours: 10 .am. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Appointment required. Call 773-233-4100.