The new state-run COVID-19 testing site in Peoria is now slated to open May 23.
The site set up in the Peoria Civic Center Fulton St. parking lot was originally slated to open Friday, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker opted to keep the underutilized Bloomington testing site open another week after lobbying from McLean County lawmakers concerned about the lack of other readily available community-based options.
The state's Peoria COVID-19 testing site will have more restrictive testing criteria than the four Heartland Health Services testing sites set up in Peoria and Pekin. Those sites now offer tests to all asymptomatic adults.
All people with symptoms can received free testing at the Civic Center site. Healthcare workers, first responders, essential workers, people exposed to a known COVID-19 patient, or people with chronic illnesses or compromised immune systems can receive a test without symptoms.
The site will be open 8 a.m to 4 p.m daily. The Illinois National Guard will staff the state testing site. Walk-up and drive-up testing will be offered.
There are 225 reported positive COVID-19 cases in Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. Seventy-five percent are considered recovered.
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