The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that, in response to a decrease in the request for COVID-19 testing facilities at the ten network testing sites and the scheduled end of the federal funds, the consistent tasks at the sites will end on March 31. IDPH predicted that ongoing operations would end when the mask-wearing mandate was lifted and saw traffic at the sites, which have conducted more than 1. 5 million tests in their total ongoing use, drop precipitously in recent weeks. The sites are currently processing less than one percent of the tests conducted statewide. Demand for testing across network sites peaked at more than 1,040 tests per day at each site in November 2020. The five sites that also supply vaccines will also close consistent sales, having administered only around 8,800 doses. This is in addition to more than 243,000 vaccines provided through almost 8,000 cell vaccination clinics. To request loose home COVID-19 tests from the federal government, go to https://www. covidtests. passv. Additional data and knowledge about COVID-19 can be obtained at: https://dph. illinois. passv/covid19. html
Vaccination is the key to ending this pandemic. To locate a COVID-19 vaccination center near you, www. vaccines. gov.