With COVID surging, St. Clair Square testing and vaccine site expands hours of operation

With COVID-19 cases rising in the metro-east and across the state, the testing and vaccine site at St. Clair Square has expanded its operations.

Previously open four days a week, the site now will be open six days a week, Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The St. Clair Square site is a state-run facility, and we know across the state there’s been an increase in the number of cases and an increase interest in getting testing,” St. Clair County Health Department Director Myla Blandford said Wednesday morning. “Obviously, with the holidays, they wanted people to be tested. Know before you go spend time with your families.”

As of now, the site will be closed this Saturday for the New Year’s Day holiday, Blanford said. She suggested checking the Illinois Department of Public Health website — https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/testing.html — for any changes.

Blandford said with it being a PCR test, results typically should be available within two-three days.

“I know they have had a lot more traffic the last few days and we’ve seen a lot of testing across the state,” she said. “It sends the results directly to your MyChart app on your phone. So you can get your results that way.”

Blandford also clarified vaccine availability at the site. Specifically, she noted that vaccines for those 12-years-old and above are only offered Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and that all three — Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — are available. Blandford added the site does not provide vaccines for the 5-11 age group.

St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency Director Herb Simmons noted expanding the hours was a proactive move and recommended people take advantage of the free services.

“We’re just trying to stay in front of it as much as possible,” he said. “As I said yesterday, there’s really no reason ... it’s free, it’s available. If you’re feeling you’ve been exposed or have a fear of the symptoms, go get tested. It doesn’t take that long. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Illinois reported 20,804 new cases on Tuesday, which is the highest single-day number since the pandemic began. The department also reported 96 COVID deaths Tuesday.

The seven-day statewide test positivity rate is 12.4%.