Testing Information
Testing Locations
Residents are encouraged to contact their primary physicians to coordinate testing needs. Click here for a list of COVID-19 testing locations in the State. The nearest State location to River Forest is in Harwood Heights at 6959 W. Forest Preserve Rd. This facility is open from 7:00AM - 3:00PM, while testing supplies last. Please note that some facilities may close due to inclement weather conditions. State testing sites are open to all regardless of symptoms and are free of charge.
Other private medical care facilities offer testing, including:
- CVS on the corner of North and Thatcher - Testing at CVS is by appointment only and is free to those who qualify after completing a COVID assessment. Appointments can be made online at www.CVS.com/coronavirus.
- Walgreens at 7251 Lake Street (Town Center) - Testing at Walgreens is by appointment only and is free to those who qualify, as well as with most insurance. Appointments can be made online by clicking here.
- Midwest Express Clinic at 7343 Lake Street (in Town Center next to Panera). Midwest Express Clinic is testing all patients regardless of symptoms but the cost may vary depending on insurance; out-of-pocket, same-day pricing is $200. Individuals looking to schedule testing at Midwest Express Clinic must complete the online form here: www.clockwisemd.com/hospitals/4100/visits/new.
Residents may also choose to utilize or keep handy new, at-home COVID-19 tests, such as Abbott’s BinaxNOW Test which can be purchased online. This particular test is a convenient option that allows for testing to take place through an application to ensure that results are reported to public health agencies. These are antigen tests, which are not as sensitive as PCR or nucleic acid amplification tests. To better understand the different types of testing, please download this informational sheet from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Contact Tracing
Contact tracing is a multi-step process used to identify, assess and manage people exposed to a positive COVID-19 case and connect exposed people to resources to assist them during quarantine. To learn more about contact tracing, please refer to the Cook County Department of Public Health or CDC.
The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is reaching out to individuals who test positive for COVID-19 ("cases") and those who have been exposed to, or in close contact with, individuals who test positive ("contacts"). However, they are still ramping up their staff and may not be able to contact every case. If you receive a call from 312-777-1999, please answer the call. If you need support or assistance in order to effectively self-isolate or quarantine, please call the CCDPH COVID-19 Hotline at 708-836-4755, Monday through Friday 9:00AM – 4:00PM.
If you have tested positive, please consider notifying those who have been exposed to you so that they can consult with their primary physician or local health department to determine if they need to be tested and/or quarantined. COVID-19 can be spread 48 hours before an infected individual develops symptoms or tests positive. Accordingly, those who test positive or are experiencing symptoms would want to contact people they have been in close contact with during that window. Close contact is considered being within six feet for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period, even if wearing face coverings.
COVID-19 Testing Basics
To better understand the different types of testing, please download this informational sheet from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
People who get sick with COVID-19 develop mild to severe illness with symptoms including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Illness can begin 2 to 14 days after an exposure. Although this virus likely emerged from an animal source, it can also spread from person-to-person. Spread from one person to another is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Typically, people are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic.
What are preventative measures that can be taken?
We ask for your continued partnership in preventing the spread of coronavirus by following these safety tips:
- Wear a mask or cloth face covering
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing and certainly if your commute includes public transit.
- Stay home when you are sick and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Travel Guidance
The Cook County Department of Public Health has released travel guidance to help limit the potential spread of COVID-19 from other parts of the country that are seeing a surge in new cases. The guidance includes a Suburban Cook County travel quarantine list that is updated every Tuesday. If you have traveled to or from any of the states on this list, please consider self-quarantining for 14 days. Residents should also self-quarantine if you have been exposed to a confirmed case or are symptomatic for COVID-19.
Are there additional resources available?
You can find more facts, updates, and information on COVID-19, including symptoms and transmission of the virus, at the following links:
Coronavirus hotlines:
- Cook County: 708-633-3319
- Rush Hosptial: 1-888-352-RUSH (7874)
- CCDPH’s Vaccine Sign-up Hotline at 833-308-1988, Monday - Friday from 7am-7pm.
Thrive Counseling Center Services
If you are feeling overwhelmed about Covid-19, you are not alone. Thrive Counseling Center is offering phone-based counseling and medication management to address the community’s needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Their Crisis Intervention Services are still available by dialing (708) 383-7500. Their Front Desk team is ready to assist you Monday-Friday, 9am - 2pm, with requests for referrals or new services and to reschedule or cancel an appointment. Thrive is also now a proud partner of the Illinois Call4Calm Text Line Service. Text “TALK” TO 552020 (or “HABLAR) for Spanish. The Illinois "Call4Calm" Text Line is not a crisis hotline, but is a source of support for anyone experiencing stress and in need of a listening ear. Thrive is here to serve you.
Illinois COVID-19 Prevention Ambassadors
The IDPH has created a new program through which Illinois residents can serve as ambassadors to help promote the State's efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. Illinois COVID-19 Prevention Ambassadors are Illinoisans across the state who play a vital role in supporting current state efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 by promoting and sharing information among their friends, families, peers and neighbors on prevention measures, testing resources and other relevant information. Any Illinoisan can volunteer to be an Ambassador. Click here for full details and click here to complete an online survey to become an Ambassador today! For more information or if you have questions, please contact Juana.Ballesteros@illinois.gov.