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WGLT's reporting on the coronavirus pandemic, which began in McLean County in March 2020.

Drive-Up COVID-19 Testing Site To Open In Bloomington

Interstate Cetner
Eric Stock
/
WGLT
Illinois National Guard soldiers prepare the Interstate Center for a mobile COVID-19 testing clinic.

Certain health care workers, first responders, seniors, and those with underlying conditions will soon have access to a drive-up COVID-19 testing site in west Bloomington.

The testing site will be located at the McLean County Fairgrounds (Interstate Center). Starting Saturday, it will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, or until the daily allotment of tests has been exhausted.

Testing will be limited to:

  • Healthcare workers with respiratory symptoms and a temperature of 100.4 or greater
  • First responders with respiratory symptoms and a temperature of 100.4 or greater
  • Seniors (65+) with respiratory symptoms and a temperature of 100.4 or greater
  • Patients with underlying medical conditions with respiratory symptoms and a temperature of 100.4 or greater

The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) said Friday it expects "there could be significant wait times" at the community-based testing site.
County health department officials were told up to 250 tests would be administered daily, but they do not know how long the mobile testing site will remain. 

“We see so much value in being able to increase testing capacity in Central Illinois through testing sites like this one,” said MCHD Administrator Jessica McKnight. “We know that access to testing in our area and across the country has been a source of frustration and confusion. And while testing will not be an instant solution for COVID-19, we hope it will allow us to have a more accurate picture of what is happening in our community and help us in our fight to stop the spread of this virus.”

Health department officials say the test is available to Central Illinois residents but they aren't sure how broadly the eligibility area is defined. 

Drive-Up Procedure

Individuals will be required to remain in their vehicles at all times. Testing is limited to four individuals per vehicle, and those individuals must be seated at a seat with a working window. You will be required to show 1) photo identification and 2) health care facility employee or first responder ID/badge.

Personnel in full medical protective gear will check the individual’s temperature with a no-touch thermometer and use a swab to obtain the necessary sample from the individual’s nose. If you do not meet the testing criteria, you will be diverted back to your residence to monitor symptoms and contact your local health care provider.

The site will not be able to accommodate walk-up individuals.

Individuals who have taken fever-reducing medicines within six hours before arrival at the testing site will not be eligible to be tested. As availability allows, testing criteria may be expanded beyond the initial pilot program.

Setup

Illinois National Guard Army Major A.J. Ruggieri
Credit Eric Stock / WGLT
/
WGLT
Illinois National Guard public affairs officer A.J. Ruggieri said soldiers will be providing medical and logistics help at the mobile COVID-19 clinic.

Soldiers from the Illinois National Guard were on site Friday preparing the site for testing. About 50 members of the guard's 3637th Maintenance Company based in Springfield is assisting with logistics and administrative and safety support, while members of the Peoria-based 182nd Airlift Wing Medical Group will be helping administer the tests.

"This whole situation obviously is unprecedented. We've not been in a situation where we've had to deal with this type of pandemic," Illinois National Guard public affairs officer A.J. Ruggieri said. "It is also ever-evolving. Changes are happening on a daily basis at least, if not an hourly basis."

New COVID-19 Cases

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported a 10th COVID-19 case in McLean County on Friday. County health department officials said a woman in her 80s is in intensive care. 

Earlier Friday, the MCHD announced a ninth confirmed case. It is a woman in her 60s who is currently in intensive care. 

The department reports more than 150 tests have been conducted, with 104 proving negative and 37 pending. 

Coronavirus in McLean County
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We’re living in unprecedented times when information changes by the minute. WGLT will continue to be here for you, keeping you up-to-date with the live, local and trusted news you need. Help ensure WGLT can continue with its in-depth and comprehensive COVID-19 coverage as the situation evolves by making a contribution.

Ryan Denham is the digital content director for WGLT.
Eric Stock is the News Director at WGLT. You can contact Eric at ejstoc1@ilstu.edu.
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