The DuPage County COVID-19 Drive-Thru Test Site will activate its Winter Operations Plan starting on Monday, Nov. 30. The plan will allow testing to be available for individuals through the winter months while maintaining safe conditions for staff and visitors.
The COVID-19 Drive-Thru Test Site location will remain at the DuPage County Complex; however, cars will be redirected to an enclosed, heated structure for testing. The enclosed structure will allow cars to safely drive through to receive COVID-19 testing. As a result, there will be a reduction of lanes which will impact the daily test capacity for the test site. However, other opportunities for community-based testing sites are available in DuPage County. More information can be found at dupagehealth.org/covid19testing.
“We understand the importance of continuing COVID-19 testing through the winter months,” said Karen Ayala, DuPage County Health Department Executive Director. “As COVID-19 cases continue to increase, the weather gets colder, and people spend more time indoors, we expect the already high demand of testing to persist. This modified plan for drive-thru testing, along with the various testing locations throughout the County, will provide the community access to testing while also keeping testing site staff and residents safe from the cold-weather elements.”
To help reduce wait times, each person being tested is encouraged to pre-register at testdirectly.com/dupage before arriving at the test site, or while they wait. Each person will need their email address to create an account and that email address may not be used for more than one person in the group. If someone does not have an email address available, then a recorder will register that person on-site. Please note, pre-registering does not guarantee an individual will be tested that day or reserve a place in line.
The testing site will continue to be accessible through the County Campus’ main entrance off County Farm Road and be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., or until the daily test capacity is reached. Please consider the following:
• Testing is available to everyone, regardless of symptoms or other criteria.
• Children may get tested with the help of a parent or guardian.
• No appointment, symptoms, or insurance are necessary.
• For safety reasons, pets are not allowed at the test site. People with pets will be turned away.
• While waiting for test results, persons tested need to self-isolate at home except for medical care.
• For information on early closures or other updates, check the Health Department’s Facebook and Twitter often.
“As our county continues to experience substantial transmission of COVID-19, we also want to remind everyone how critical it is to slow the spread of this virus to avoid pushing the limits of our resources,” said Ayala. “Do your part by wearing a mask anytime you are outside your home or in someone else’s. Avoid gathering with people outside your household. Watch your distance when you are running essential errands or while at work and please wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer often.”
The Odeum Expo Center test site in Villa Park reopened on Sunday, Nov. 29, and the DuPage County Complex site in Wheaton was scheduled to reopen on Monday, Nov. 30.
For more information about the testing site or what to expect, please visit dupagehealth.org/covid19testing. For more information on how to stay safe, please dupagehealth.org/staysafedupage.
