SIU School of Medicine will be closing its COVID-19 testing operation on March 30 as planned with the Sangamon County Department of Public Health (SCDPH).

During the past 8 months, SIU conducted more than 38,000 tests of area residents, resulting in 35,093 negative findings and 2,359 positives, with a monthly average of 200 tests for children under 18.

We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the County to provide this critical community service in a time of crisis. SIU Medicine also wants to acknowledge Abundant Faith Christian Center and all other area congregations and community organizations that have hosted our operations during these critical months. Together we increased access to free public testing to all residents of Sangamon County.

The planned transition is possible as several testing centers are available in Springfield: at both hospitals, CVS, Walgreens and others. Additionally, the availability of the vaccine in our community is reducing the number of residents in need of testing.  

SIU will provide ongoing support to the County in other ways:

• SIU epidemiologists and infection disease specialists will continue to work with the SCDPH, providing information and resources.
• Staffing pandemic health worker support services and contact tracing services through June 30
• Cohosting free vaccine clinics at the Salvation Army and homeless shelters/tent cities and other points of outbreak
• Offering testing procedure training to school nurses upon request in the new school year
• Coordinating a communications campaign to increase confidence in the vaccine among communities of color

We welcome future opportunities to work together on behalf of our residents in Sangamon County.