Although the timing was just coincidence, free COVID-19 tests were available in Evanston today as Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced new pandemic restrictions in suburban Cook County

The Illinois Department of Public Health offered the drive-thru tests today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot across from Evanston Township High School on Dodge Avenue. Tests will also be given tomorrow during the same hours at the same location.

The new restrictions were triggered due to an increase in coronavirus cases and related hospitalizations.

City staffer Michael Rivera was coordinating the testing lines. Rivera said as many as 350 individuals were expected to be tested today, with potentially up to 500 tomorrow.

Tests are available to any Evanston resident, regardless of medical symptoms. No registration is required. Test results will be provided within three to five days.

Jeff Hirsh joined the Evanston Now reporting team in 2020 after a 40-year award-winning career as a broadcast journalist in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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