State to close Aurora’s community-based COVID testing, vaccination site March 31

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Friday that in response to a sharp drop in the demand for COVID-19 testing services at the ten Community-Based Testing Sites, including the Aurora site on Farnsworth Road, and the anticipated end of federal funding, operations at the locations will end on March 31.

According to a news release, IDPH previewed that operations would be winding down when the mask mandate was lifted and has seen traffic at the sites – which carried out more than 1.5 million tests in total throughout their operation – drop precipitously in recent weeks. The sites are currently handling less than 1% of the tests being conducted statewide.

Given the availability of free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government, the statewide network of federally qualified health centers and the extensive number of SHIELD saliva testing sites throughout Illinois, there are ample, convenient opportunities for Illinois residents to obtain access to a test if needed, the release stated.

IDPH established the drive-thru community-based testing sites in April of 2020 when there were far fewer options for residents to get tested. Demand for tests at the sites reached a peak of more 1,040 tests per day at each site in November 2020, the release stated.

The five sites that also provide vaccinations, including the Aurora location, will close operations as well, having administered almost 8,800 doses.

To order free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government, go to https://www.covidtests.gov.

Additional information and COVID-19 data can be found at: https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html