South Suburban College to Provide Rapid Testing in Oak Forest

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Cook County Health expands walk-in service hours at SSC’s vaccination site.

OAK FOREST, IL – South Suburban College (SSC) is adding a second COVID-19 testing site at its Oak Forest Center (OFC) to provide free rapid testing through the SHIELD Illinois program. The OFC-SHIELD testing site will open on May 17th with availability initially limited to two days a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. If demand increases, dates and times will be expanded. To schedule an appointment, a SHIELD account must be created through Portal.shieldillinois.com using agency code: df5brbrj

SHIELD Illinois is a screening testing program and infrastructure that deploys the University of Illinois’ innovative saliva test across the state. SSC will be providing the SHIELD test at no cost, compared to $100 or more for a standard nasal swab test. Current notification time for the saliva test is less than 24 hours, compared to a several-day turnaround time for most available tests. Through advantages in cost, speed and accuracy, the saliva tests can increase access to testing and control spread.

Additionally, Cook County Health is further expanding its walk-in vaccination hours at South Suburban College’s Main Campus Gymnasium in South Holland. Walk-in vaccinations will now be available Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (last walk-in will be accepted at the posted closing times). No special residency, preregistration nor appointments are required. Anyone ages 16 and older (ages 16 and 17 with parent or guardian) may get vaccinated. Check ssc.edu for updates including the pending opening for ages 12-15 soon.

SSC’s drive-thru testing also continues four days a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary for the drive-thru tents set up at the College’s Main Campus northwest parking lot (not a rapid testing site).

South Suburban College’s Oak Forest Center is located at 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, Illinois. The Main Campus is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.