Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced during his daily COVID-19 press conference this afternoon Shapiro Developmental Center will be one of three developmental centers across the State to receive direct access to Abbott rapid testing equipment for novel coronavirus.
The testing units can allow for COVID-19 results in as little as five minutes.
Other centers that will receive the testing equipment include Ludeman Developmental Center in Park Forest and the Elgin Mental Health Center.
“These centers already played a critical role in public health through their support of many of our most vulnerable residents,” Governor Pritzker said this afternoon. “In the midst of a pandemic, they’re the first lines of defense against COVID-19.”
Last Wednesday, Governor Pritzker said the equipment had been received by the State of Illinois but the Federal Government had only given 150 federal tests for 15 testing units. As those tests continue to materialize, they will be filtered down into their new home locations, including Shapiro.
“It is essential that healthcare institutions operate to fulfill their obligations to render healthcare in an ethical and non-discriminatory manner.” Governor Pritzker said Friday. “No one life is anymore important than another.”
There is no date set on when testing sites will be at 100% operations.
