COVID Testing Site At DuPage Fairgrounds Closes After Over 2 Years

WHEATON, IL — After opening more than two years ago at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the COVID-19 testing site at DuPage County Fairgrounds will close permanently as of Oct. 29. DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) officials cited a prevalence in testing locations and at-home testing options as the reason for the closure.

The fairgrounds testing site opened in June 2020 and has administered coronavirus tests to over 60,000 DuPage County residents.

In July 2021, the health department closed its community vaccination clinic, which had been located at DuPage County Fairgrounds. At the time, officials chose to focus on its mobile vaccines, saying the change was necessary "as the pandemic evolves."

Related: DuPage County Offers Bivalent Booster For Kids Ages 5 to 11

Despite the recent test site closure, DCHD is still urging residents to get tested for coronavirus if they have symptoms, have been exposed to the virus, are in a high-risk setting or plan to have contact with a person who is at high risk for contracting COVID-19.

“Since the pandemic began, when testing was limited, DCHD staff and partners worked tirelessly to provide year round drive-thru testing to ensure all residents had a place to go. Now, there are many more healthcare providers who offer this service,” Chris Hoff, Director of Community Health Resources for DuPage County Health Department told Patch.

Hoff added, “COVID-19 is still a health concern for our communities and anyone with symptoms should be tested for the virus so they can access the appropriate treatment and prevent spreading it to others.”