Beginning Monday, The Loretto Hospital will be limiting the number of COVID-19 tests it conducts to about 100 per day and reducing hours of operation to 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, who’s been pushing for more testing of West Side residents, said Sunday the hospital has to scale back because the state has a backlog in processing results.
Since Loretto began testing last month, more than 2,500 people have been tested, a spokesman for the hospital said.
Testing continues to be free, and anyone can be tested regardless of symptoms, exposure or medical history. Both drive-thru and walk-up testing is located outside the hospital at 645 S. Central Ave.
Hospital personnel administer the tests, which consist of inserting a nasal swab and completing a short questionnaire to obtain contact information and any current medical symptoms. Patients will be notified by telephone within 96 hours by a Loretto Hospital staff member.
The PCC Community Wellness Center, at 330 N. Lotus Street, continues to provide testing to anyone with symptoms consistent with COVID19 infection.
PCC is offering only drive-thru tests, but an appointment must be made in advance by calling (773) 295-3347. The testing is located in the parking lot next to the PCC Austin Farm at 330 N. Lotus St. (across from PCC Austin Family Health Center).
West Side residents also can get tested at the former Walgreens at 1606 N. Mobile Ave., which continues to offer drive-thru tests from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents must register online beforehand, and the site is only for drive-thru appointments. For more information, click here.
the former Walgreens at 1606 N. Mobile Avenue will be offering drive-thru
tests from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents must register online beforehand, and the
site is only for drive-thru appointments. For more information, go to their website.