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Illinoisans can get free U of I covidSHIELD tests at community colleges

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Illinois

* Press release…

Community colleges across the state now have the ability to provide the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s (UIUC) innovative, saliva-based COVID-19 test at no cost to any state resident who wants one.

The testing will be funded through an agreement between the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and SHIELD Illinois, the University of Illinois System unit that is deploying the test throughout the state.

Under the agreement, the state’s 49 community colleges can test their own students and staff, and can choose to serve as community testing sites where any Illinois resident can get a free test.

There are currently five active SHIELD Illinois community testing sites – Black Hawk College, Heartland Community College, Lincoln Land Community College, Oakton Community College, and Sauk Valley Community College – and more in development.

The agreement is being funded with money the state received through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan.

UIUC’s innovative, saliva-based COVID-19 PCR test has held the virus in check at the U of I System’s three universities thanks to widespread testing with rapid results. The test, known as covidSHIELD, was granted emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in February.

Go get ‘em!

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 19, 21 @ 1:56 pm

Comments

Super simple test. Spit in a tube. Turn it in. Go home and check for results in a few hours.

Comment by MSIX Monday, Apr 19, 21 @ 2:00 pm
Do I have this right…. the test that reporters/lobbyists others were having to pay $30 for is now free?

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Monday, Apr 19, 21 @ 2:34 pm
Huzzah. We should have had this 6 months ago, but as the saying goes: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

Comment by thechampaignlife Monday, Apr 19, 21 @ 2:53 pm
Could this free test be used by a citizen who would like to attend the General Assembly sessions who also has proof of full vaccinations?
Appreciate it if you could ask Rich.

Comment by jimbo26 Monday, Apr 19, 21 @ 3:11 pm
===Could this free test be used by a===

Senate requires a SHIELD test. They don’t specify where you have to get it. House has no requirement.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 19, 21 @ 4:34 pm