Long Lines And Wait Times For Free COVID-19 Testing In Chicago

NewsColony
Long Lines And Wait Times For Free COVID-19 Testing In Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) — A new record number of COVID-19 cases were reported in Illinois Friday, and virtually all of Illinois is in emergency mode with measure to try to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Despite the spike in cases, getting a test can be difficult with long lines and wait times.

At Prieto Math and Science Academy, one of Chicago’s free testing sites, several people Friday though they would save time by making an appointment to get a test, but that didn’t help them. Some waited hours.

When you’re feeling sick, the last thing you want to do is sit in a line in your car, but Monica Ortiz had no choice.

“Yeah, we’ve been all the way past our high school, and it moves really slow,” she said.

She and her boyfriend don’t feel well, and they booked two tests.

“So we got here early, but our appointment was for 1:30,” she said.

An hour later and they were just rounding a corner with more time to wait.

Druelle Grimes had been waiting at least half an hour with a car full of family needing tests after her father fell ill, and the delay with kids is even tougher.

“Our appointment was between 1 and 1:30. It’s 2:37 now,” she said.

The rush comes on another day of record numbers of new COVID-19 Cases in the state. Data from the Illinois Department of Public Health shows Friday was the state’s highest single day of testing since the pandemic began, with more than 95,100 people taking tests.

With numbers like that, we will likely keep seeing lines like this.

“It is going to be harder and harder to be finding a test,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, head of the Chicago Department of Public Health. “And I cannot say strongly enough that the number one place that we want you to be getting tested for COVID is with your healthcare provider.”

But for those who need the free testing, be prepared to pay with your time.

At least we’re in the parking lot,” said Grimes. “Maybe we’ll be out by 3:30?”

Grimes was pretty close. She and her family were done around 3:20 p.m.. That is 2 hours and 20 minutes in line.

Since March 1 Chicago has conducted 1.4 million COVID-19 tests. There are three main testing sites and several mobile sites run by the city.

Source: CBS Chicago | News Colony

The post Long Lines And Wait Times For Free COVID-19 Testing In Chicago appeared first on NewsColony.
NewsColony

source https://newscolony.com/long-lines-and-wait-times-for-free-covid-19-testing-in-chicago/

Comments

Volunteers book hotel room for homeless man with SingapoRediscovers vouchers

NewsColony Volunteers book hotel room for homeless man with SingapoRediscovers vouchers © The Independent Singapore Singapore — A group of volunteers from the Mummy Yummy Singapore welfare organisation donated their SingapoRediscovers Vouchers to book a hotel room for a homeless man. The man, who was identified as Jayden, did not have a place to live while waiting for the Housing Board (HDB) to allocate him a rental flat. In a Facebook post on Mummy Yummy Singapore’s page on Wednesday (Dec 16), the volunteers said: “We used our $100 Rediscover Singapore vouchers to redeem hotel stay for him and successfully booked 9 days worth of stay at 3 days per voucher.” They added that they were unable to book a longer stay because of higher hotel rates over Christmas and New Year. The volunteers hoped that they would be able to bridge Jayden’s stay until he got a flat. “Thanks our government for giving us these vouchers which in return we can put them to good use for people in need,” th...

Disabled people are still vulnerable, even as COVID-19 normalizes their ‘special’ needs

Disabled people are still vulnerable, even as COVID-19 normalizes their ‘special’ needs NewsColony Perhaps it’s appropriate that public notices of the COVID-19 crisis began as an ableist cruelty. Health officials assured the nation that only the elderly and those with chronic health conditions would be seriously affected; most Americans (i.e., the normal people) would have only mild symptoms and be fine. x A friendly reminder: people who will be high-risk patients if we get coronavirus can hear you when you reassure everyone we’re the only ones who might die. Ã¢Â€Â” Alexandra Brodsky (@azbrodsky) February 29, 2020 Soon after the announcement of those assurances, the likelihood of high-risk people surviving was further limited by the people more likely to be fine. Shopping frenzies cleared stores of essential supplies needed everyday by many disabled people, like thermometers, hand wipes, masks, and IV infusion supplies. Accustomed to their needs ...

Coronavirus UK: BBC makes changes to ‘lift people’s spirits’

Coronavirus UK: BBC makes changes to ‘lift people’s spirits’ NewsColony BBC viewers have been warned that ‘things will look and sound a bit different’ during the coronavirus crisis. In a blog post on the corporation’s website, BBC News Chief Fran Unsworth outlined a number of changes its newsroom was making in light of the ‘rapidly evolving situation’. Among the changes, presenters will doing their own make-up, many interviews will be conducted remotely and the BBC will rely more on its network of local reporters, Ms Unsworth explained. TV veterans Mr Motivator and Angela Rippon have also signed up for a new BBC One show to lift people’s spirits during the pandemic. HealthCheck UK Live, with Watchdog’s Michelle Ackerley and CBBC star Dr Xand van Tulleken will air every weekday for two weeks. TV veterans Mr Motivator and Angela Rippon have also signed up for a new BBC One show to lift people’s spirits during the pandemic HealthCheck UK Live, with Wa...

NewsColony

Search This Blog