Coronavirus Testing: No Line Of Cars In Burr Ridge

BURR RIDGE, IL — In the fight against the coronavirus, South Korea has become known for its drive-up testing. Photos show long lines of cars waiting for such a service.

Burr Ridge also has a drive-up testing site. It's just outside the three-story industrial park building that houses Metro Infectious Disease Consultants, 901 McClintock Drive.

When Patch dropped by late Tuesday morning, no one was available either inside or outside the tent in the parking lot. That's because testing is by appointment only and patients must be pre-approved by a physician. Tests are limited nationwide, despite President Donald Trump's statement earlier this month that "anybody that wants a test can get a test."

In his March 23 daily bulletin, Mayor Gary Grasso informed the public about Metro's service, saying its drive-up testing was from 9 a.m. to noon for qualifying patients. Grasso said he had been told that Metro had completed 13 oral swab tests that day and sent them in for processing. He stressed that people cannot be tested until they first call in and qualify.

In his bulletin two days later, Grasso said Metro in Burr Ridge was testing 15 patients each day.

"The goal of the MIDC program is to test only those that could possibly need medical attention and ensure availability of care throughout this crisis — and try to keep people out of the hospital where the most serious cases should take precedence," the mayor said.

According to an NBC report earlier this month, South Korea was doing 10,000 tests a day, while the far larger United States has struggled to do a fraction of that number. South Korea's tests are paid for by the government, the report said.

For more information on Metro's testing, call 630-655-8032.

Read more:

Illinois Coronavirus Update March 31: Cases Top 5,000; 73 Deaths

Don't miss updates in Burr Ridge as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.