McHenry County to offer rapid COVID-19, flu and RSV tests amid spike in respiratory illness

The McHenry County Department of Health will offer free rapid tests starting Jan. 6 for people with symptoms of respiratory illness, including COVID-19, influenza and – for those eligible – respiratory synctial virus, the department said Monday in a news release.

The rolling out of free testing comes a few days after the health department said respiratory illnesses were surging in the county. The health department didn’t mention the transmission levels in its Monday release.

“This service is designed to help residents take appropriate actions such as staying home from work or school if ill during the peak respiratory illness season,” according to the release.

Although the testing is free, appointments are required.

People who are 2 and older are eligible for COVID-19 and flu tests, while RSV tests are available for those who test negative for those illnesses and meet established criteria, according to the release.

Testing for RSV also will be completed for children ages 2 to 10; adults 75 and older; and adults ages 60 to 74 who have an increased risk of severe disease for reasons such as having a chronic heart or lung disease, weakened immune system or diabetes; being obese; or living in a nursing home.

Test results are not an official diagnosis, and treatment is not available.

People with signs of severe illness such as extreme shortness of breath, chest pain or difficulty walking will not be tested and instead will be directed to seek a higher level of care, according to the release.

The tests are open only to McHenry County residents. Appointments are available from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The clinic is closed on county holidays. Tests start Jan. 6 and run through the end of respiratory illness season, which is the end of March or early April.

People can visit the health department’s respiratory illness webpage and use the self-scheduling link to make appointments at mchenrycountyil.gov/departments/health-department/public-health-nursing/communicable-disease-program/respiratory-illness.

Those who walk in without an appointment will be directed to the webpage to self-schedule for the soonest available appointment.

A nurse will perform the test, and it will take place in a heated trailer in the southeast corner of the health department parking lot, outside Building A at 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. Building A is behind the courthouse.

Upon arrival, people will find two parking spaces for clinic patients, and registered participants who are not immediately greeted by the clinic nurse should call 815-334-4500 to let health department staff know they’ve arrived.

For more information on respiratory illness testing from the McHenry County Department of Health, visit MCDH.info online or call 815-334-4500.