WAUKEGAN -- The Lake County Health Department is announcing that free COVID-19 testing is coming to Wauconda, Fox Lake, Libertyville and Vernon Hills over the next week. A mobile testing unit managed by the Illinois Department of Public Health will be stationed in the county according to the following schedule:
Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Grant Community High School, 285 E. Grand Ave., Fox Lake
Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Libertyville High School, 708 W. Park Ave., Libertyville
Oct. 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Vernon Hills High School, 145 Lakeview Pkwy., Vernon Hills
“Testing is an important first step that helps our staff identify and support you if you are infected, notify close contacts, and slow the spread of this virus,” said Mark Pfister, executive director at the Lake County Health Department. “As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in our area, we encourage our residents to take advantage of the mobile testing site or Community-Based Testing Sites and get tested right away if they are experiencing symptoms, or 5 to 7 days after being exposed to an infected person.”
Know Before You Go
Testing is free and open to all regardless of symptoms. A phone number and name are required in order to receive testing results. Photo identification and proof of insurance are helpful, but not required. High demand for testing may result in long wait times. Testing locations may close early due to inclement weather or if daily testing supplies are exhausted.
Those utilizing drive-thru testing must be seated at a functioning window. Once you get in line at the site, you will not be permitted to exit your car. All sites will also accommodate walk-up individuals. Only viral testing is provided at the mobile testing site.
Other Testing Options
State-run Community-Based Testing Sites, located in Waukegan (102 W. Water St.) and Arlington Heights (2000 W Euclid Ave.) are open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Testing at these sites is free. For more information, visit the IDPH website at https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid-19-testing-sites.
Many health care providers in Lake County also have COVID-19 testing available. Please contact your provider or the facility to ask about testing criteria and appointment availability. Residents without a health care provider or insurance can contact the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center for an appointment at 847-377-8800.