COVID-19 testing today, Saturday in Harrisburg

HARRISBURG - Egyptian Health Department will have drive-through mobile COVID-19 testing available today and Saturday at Arrowhead Plaza's parking lot.

Testing is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Tests are free and open to the public, with no appointment necessary. Masks are required and you must have a valid phone number. The phone number will be used to contact people about test results.

Tests are done by nasal swab and can be performed on individuals with or without symptoms. EHD notes that all testing is done in a drive-through setting, and those being tested must wear masks in their vehicles.

The testing may help notify asymptomatic individuals that they have COVID-19.

"In the face of increasing infections, we need to promote more testing, not less, to identify new cases and interrupt further transmission," Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said. "Given that asymptomatic individuals have been linked to virus spread, we will maintain our more stringent guidance to support testing of any Illinois resident who thinks they may have been exposed, as well as asymptomatic close contacts of confirmed cases 5-7 days post exposure."

EHD urges all available people to be tested.