Here’s Where You Can Get Tested For COVID-19 Near Cicero and Berwyn
Photo of the testing site located behind Taskforce Prevention at 9 N. Cicero Avenue (Photo by Irene Romulo)
By April Alonso and Irene Romulo
Cermak Immediate Care
Address: 5741 W. Cermak Rd
Hours: Monday-Sunday 9am-7:45 pm
Phone number: (708) 222-0100
Website: www.cermakimmediatecare.com
Things to know before you go: This clinic is a private clinic and accepts insurance from medicaid, medicare, any PPO but not HMO insurances. If you do not have insurance, there is a test fee for $175. To be able to be tested for COVID-19, an appointment will have to be scheduled. You can schedule an appointment online or if you need help filling out the online form, you can call the phone number above.
The test results are same day test results. You will receive your results within 15-20 minutes at the location, you will take your test and then wait at the clinic to be called back in to receive your results.
Walgreens
Address: 5932 W. Cermak Rd
Phone: (708) 632-4856
Website: https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/testing?ban=covid_landing_testing_Aug
Things to know before you go: This is a drive up location test site and to receive testing, you will need to fill out a survey form first (click here for survey) and then choose this Walgreen's location and schedule a time. When you arrive at testing site, you will stay in your vehicle and roll down your window. The swab will be provided for you to do the test swab yourself. You will need to provide your confirmation email, your State ID or Driver's License and insurance. If you do not have insurance, there is a $129 fee. Credit, debit, FSA and HSA cards are the payment methods accepted, no cash or check.
Berwyn Public health district
Address: 6600 W. 26th St.
Hours: Fridays 2pm-4pm
Phone: (708) 316-8882
Things to know before you go: No appointment or medical insurance is required to get tested. Results are sent by email or communicated by phone number in 3-5 days.
Who can get tested? Any person older than 10 years old with symptoms of COVID-19 or people who have been exposed to COVID-19 (5 days after knowing you have been exposed).
Prism Health Lab
Hours: Monday - Friday 9am-1pm
Address: 1845 S. Laramie Ave
Phone: (800) 325-1812
Website: https://www.prismhealthlab.com/cicero
Things to know before you go: Tests are done by appointment only. You can go to the website for Prism Health Lab to schedule an appointment. Website is in English, if a Spanish speaker wants to make an appointment to get tested, they can call the phone number above and ask for a representative for a Spanish speaker. On the date of your appointment, bring your ID and if you have insurance, bring your insurance card. If someone doesn’t have insurance, the test is covered by funding through the CARES Act.
ACCESS Community Health
Address: 3044 S. Cicero Avenue, Cicero IL
Phone Number: 800-836 7633 to schedule an appointment
Who can get tested? Anyone over the age of age 12 can be tested. Individuals do not have to show symptoms to be tested.
Tests done per day: 100
Things to know before you go: The testing site does not offer walk-up testing. People will need to call to schedule a telehealth visit first where clinic staff will do a screening and collect necessary information. Testing is free and available for anyone regardless of immigration status. People without IDs can get tested. The testing site is currently open Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 4:00pm. Patients will be required to wear a mask. People should get results within two days.
Alivio Medical Center
Address: 6447 W. Cermak Rd
Berwyn, IL, Parking Lot
Phone Number: 773-254-1400
Who can get tested? Alivio patients and non-patients that are essential workers, have symptoms (fever, cough, fatigue, body aches, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea), and/or who have been exposed to someone with the COVID-19 infection are eligible for testing.
Tests done per day: There’s a limited number of drive up slots available, people need to schedule an appointment by phone.
Lawndale Christian Health Center
Address: 3860 W. Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL 60623
Phone Number: (872) 588-3000
Who can get tested? People experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 who have a compromised immune system, a pregnancy or a serious chronic medical condition and essential workers.
Tests done per day: There’s a limited number of drive up slots available, people need to schedule an appointment by phone.
Things to know before you go: You will have to drive to the designated testing area inside the main parking lot.
Loretto Hospital
Address: 645 S. Central Avenue, Chicago, IL 60644
Phone Number: 773-854-5475
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Who can get tested? If you suspect you may have coronavirus because of current symptoms, exposure to a known positive individual or your recent travel history, you can be tested.
Things to know before you go: You do not need an appointment to get tested and tests are free. According to their website:
Walk-In: Please park in a designated visitor parking spot or other area as directed by signage or hospital staff members. Follow signs to the testing site. Form an orderly line according to directions and maintain 6 feet social distancing. Please wear a mask that covers both your mouth and nose. Follow all hospital staff member instructions throughout the process.
Drive-Up: Please approach the hospital westbound on Harrison Street from Laramie Street. Follow all signs and hospital staff member instructions. Remain in your vehicle and do not get out.
Howard Brown Health & Project VIDA
Address: 2659 S. Kedvale Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
Phone Number: 773-388-1600
Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00am-4:30pm, Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm
Who can get tested? People with mild symptoms like fever, tiredness, dry cough or shortness of breath or who have had direct contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 can get tested for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Things to know before you go: Project VIDA is seeing individuals regardless of income, immigration, or insurance status.
Howard Brown Health & Taskforce Prevention
Address: 9 N. Cicero Ave Chicago, IL 60644
Phone Number: 773-388-1600
Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00am-4:30pm, Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm
Who can get tested: People with mild symptoms like fever, tiredness, dry cough or shortness of breath or who have had direct contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 can get tested for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Things to know before you go: The testing location is in the parking lot behind the building. Enter through the alley.
As of October 20th, there are 5,017 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cicero and 2,735 in Berwyn. Latinx communities in Illinois have already surpassed other racial groups in the number of confirmed cases.
“Social disadvantages faced by Latinos such as employment, immigration status, lack of health insurance, low-income, and lack of bilingual education impact health outcomes related to COVID-19,” read a statement released by Alivio Medical Center, a health center that provides access to quality health care to the uninsured, the underinsured and to families. “Lower-income Hispanics are more likely to work essential jobs such as factory work, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. putting them on the front line of exposure, especially if employers are not providing PPE and adjusting to social distancing recommendations.”
Alivio Medical Center started offering drive-thru testing on May 1, 2020 in partnership with the State of Illinois, along with other Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Dr. Nogozi O. Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, has explained that widespread testing can help with targeted interventions to figure out who is being affected, stop the spread, and provide support for communities that need it the most.
Any person experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever, chills, loss of taste and smell or difficulty breathing can now get tested at most places. People without symptoms who work in a healthcare facility, nursing home, first responders, grocery store workers, childcare, and sanitation workers as well as people with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, can all be tested without showing any symptoms.
Other essential workers include: people who work in, schools, restaurants, laundry services, transportation including Uber/Lyft drivers, factories or warehouses, and hotel workers.
Getting tested or treated for COVID-19 will not negatively impact someone seeking immigration status as a part of the public charge rules.
