CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced the University of Illinois College of Medicine Health Science Campus in Rockford will begin drive-through testing for coronavirus beginning Friday.

The facility, at 1601 Parkview Avenue, will be able to handle 500 molecular tests per day, which will add to the state’s capacity for up to 2,900 tests per day statewide.

Pritzker said residents showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be able to get a test without a doctor’s orders.

UIC Medicine’s testing facility will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, or while supplies last.

According to the state, anyone who will be tested must be seated at a functioning car window. Once a patient gets in line, they will not be permitted to exit the car. For the safety of the testing personnel, the drive-thru sites will not be able to accommodate walk-up individuals. Individuals must arrive in a vehicle.

While this is a free service, individuals will be asked to show 1) photo identification and 2) healthcare employee or first responder ID/badge, if applicable.

“Due to the demand for this service, we anticipate there could be significant wait times associated with these drive-thru community-based testing sites,” the State said in a press release. “Please be patient. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, you are urged to call your doctor or emergency department to seek immediate care and instructions.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 2,049 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, and 98 additional deaths.

Pritzker said the higher number of reported cases, the highest so far, was due to the higher volume of tests the state is conducting. Pritkzer said Illinois has done 9,300 tests in the last 24 hours.

Illinois currently has 35,108 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and 1,565 deaths.

At Wednesday’s daily coronavirus briefing, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said the stay-at-home order will be extended, but he is watching numbers of coronavirus infections before making a determination of how long.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday that she expects Gov. JB Pritzker to extend the stay-at-home order into June.

On Wednesday, several Chicago suburbs announced they would be cancelling Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations this year.

Pritzker also announced the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund has distributed $4.85 million to non-profit organizations statewide, working with the United Way and the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations.

The fund has raised over $30 million from over 2,400 donors since March 26th.

“I am so proud to see Illinoisans stepping up and helping each other through these challenging times,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thousands of Illinoisans have now contributed to this fund and I’m thrilled to see these resources going to organizations doing critical work in our communities.”

“Homeless service providers throughout Illinois have been critically active during the COVID-19 crisis, introducing social distancing measures in shelters, working to move people off the streets and into hotels or motels, and screening individuals with symptoms,” stated Sharon Legenza, Housing Action Illinois’ Executive Director. “With these relief funds, housing agencies across the state will be able to help more Illinoisans obtain or stay in stable homes—which protects the health and safety of our entire state.”

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