Advocate Hospitals across Chicago have suspended COVID-19 testing due to a lack of materials to do just that.
The announcement was made in a news release from Advocate Aurora Health, saying state health officials and the Illinois Hospitals Association had implemented new testing protocols designed to “conserve tests for those in critical need.”
The move was sparked due to a national shortage of testing kits for the disease.
The Hospital advises patients seeking hospital care experiencing non-severe coronavirus symptoms will be told to self-quarantine at home, per release. Critical coronavirus symptoms will be evaluated and treated, according to Advocate.
“As health care providers and a member of our communities, we have a responsibility to prioritize testing for the most vunerable and save lives by taking deceive action to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” states the release. “In the meantime, we will continue our efforts to build emergency department triage units.”
The news comes as the State’s hospital administrators are recommending reopening three shuttered hospitals to help with the projected numbers of COVID-19 cases that could strain area hospitals. Those hospitals include Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park, Metro South Medical Center in Blue Island and Vibra Hospital in Springfield.
All three closed in the last two years.
