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COVID-19 Testing Information
COVID-19 Testing Information
The State of Illinois operates community-based testing sites where anyone can get tested for free, regardless of symptoms or other criteria.
Three kinds of tests are available for COVID-19: RT-PCR, antigen and antibody tests. If you feel like you are infected with COVID-19, the Health and Human Services Department recommends residents get tested via the RT-PCR test, since this is the “gold standard” or most reliable COVID-19 test. A link to Skokie testing locations and information on all three tests can be found below. It is recommended that you visit each location’s webpage and/or contact the testing locations directly for more information regarding testing availability and information.
RT-PCR molecular Test (Gold Standard) | Antigen (POC) Test | Antibody Test | |
Testing Locations | |||
Also known as... | Diagnostic test, viral test, molecular test, nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), RT-PCR test, LAMP test | Diagnostic test | Serological test, serology, blood test, serology test |
How the sample is taken... | Nasopharyngeal (the part of the throat behind the nose), nasal or throat swab (most tests) | Nasal or nasopharyngeal swab (most tests) | Finger stick or blood draw |
Saliva (a few tests) | |||
How long it takes to get results... | Same day (some locations) | Some may be very fast (15 - 30 minutes), depending on the test | Same day (many locations) |
or up to a week (longer in some locations with many tests) | or 1-3 days | ||
Is another test needed... | This test is typically highly accurate and usually does not need to be repeated. | Positive results are usually highly accurate, but false positives can happen, especially in areas where very few people have the virus. Negative results may need to be confirmed with a molecular RT-PCR test. | Sometimes a second antibody test is needed for accurate results. |
What it shows... | Diagnoses active coronavirus infection | Diagnoses active coronavirus infection | Shows if you’ve been infected by coronavirus in the past |
What it can NOT do... | Show if you ever had COVID-19 or were infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 in the past | Antigen tests are more likely to miss an active COVID-19 infection compared to RT-PCR. Your health care provider may order a RT-PCR test if your antigen test shows a negative result but you have symptoms of COVID-19. | Diagnose COVID-19 at the time of the test or show that you do not have COVID-19 |