Anyone, including people who are fully vaccinated, should consider getting tested before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household.
- A positive test result means that you have an infection and should avoid indoor gatherings to reduce the risk of spreading disease to someone else.
- A negative test result means that you may not have an infection. Repeating home self-tests with at least 24 hours between tests will increase the confidence that you are not infected.
- Ask your healthcare provider if you need help interpreting your test results.
At Home
Self-tests can be taken at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results. Self-tests are available in many pharmacies, stores, and online. Call or check online before heading to the store.
Your Healthcare Provider
Contact your health care provider or medical home, especially if you are sick or think you have been exposed to COVID-19.
Community Health Centers
If you don’t have a doctor or insurance, contact your nearest community health center to get free or low-cost testing and health care. No patient will be turned away because of inability to pay. Insurance and ID are not required.
Search Community Health Centers
Pharmacies
Visit these pharmacies’ websites or call and ask about low or no-cost testing:
- CVS Health
- Local independent pharmacies
- Walgreens
- Walmart in partnership with Quest Diagnostics
Pediatric COVID-19 Testing Sites
CPS has verified a list of locations that offer pediatric COVID-19 testing in the Chicago area. Testing centers may require an appointment and many sites have a minimum age limit.
Find a Pediatric Testing Site
Community-Based Testing
The City of Chicago has partnered with Rush University Medical Center and Esperanza Health Centers to provide low or no-cost COVID-19 testing at two locations and through at-home testing kits.
Chicago Community-Based Testing
Other Testing Sites:
The State of Illinois operates community-based testing sites open to anyone, regardless of symptoms. Appointments are not required.
