North Cook News

VNA Health Care is offering expanding COVID-19 testing by appointment at its testing centers in Aurora, Elgin, Romeoville and Carol Stream.

Residents who believe they have COVID-19 symptoms will need to call 630-892-4355 or 847-717-6455 to schedule an appointment. Testing is available to both those with symptoms or those who do not have symptoms but have been in contact with someone confirmed to have the coronavirus.

The costs of the tests will be based on income and whether or not a resident has insurance. The prices will range from $5 to $10 for those without health insurance. It is also noted that those who cannot pay for the pre-screening test will not be turned away, the VNA said.

"VNA was founded over 100 years ago during the Spanish flu pandemic and our commitment to delivering exceptional health care services for the communities we serve across the Chicago metro region remains steadfast," VNA President Linnea Windel told the Daily Herald.

Primary care can also be provided to vulnerable populations as well as people who do not have health insurance or those who can't afford it. There are also bilingual services available.

There are a number of VNA locations across the suburbs. The addresses of the VNA locations offering testing are 400 N. Highland Ave., Aurora; 350 S. Schmale Road, Carol Stream; 800 Villa St. Elgin; and 160 N. Independence Boulevard, Romeoville. 

The establishment of these testing centers comes after Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that federally qualified health centers will increase their testing for the coronavirus on April 23 in a partnership to get an idea of how many cases there are of COVID-19 in Illinois. This will help authorities' predictions of when a peak will come within the state as well as manage the number of supplies that will be needed before and during the peak of cases.

More information is available at www.vnahealth.com.