OTTAWA - The LaSalle County Health Department is now able to use rapid tests for COVID-19. The rapid tests, which became available on Nov. 2, are for use only in certain situations and are not intended for people who have had close contact with a confirmed case. Pre-registration is required.

The rapid tests are meant to be used on:

• Excluded symptomatic children who are not a close contact to a confirmed case, to help get them back into school.
• Employees who need a negative test result to return to work.
• Anyone who is planning to travel or has traveled.

The rapid testing will be done at the LaSalle County Health Department parking lot, 717 Etna Road, Ottawa. The test will be an anterior nasal swab with results given in 15 minutes. Testing will be performed Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon. Anyone in need of rapid testing needs to call the Health Department at (815) 433-3366 to pre-register.

In addition, individuals who are close contacts of confirmed cases can be tested by the health department using the (PCR) COVID-19 test. The best time for people to be tested after an exposure with a confirmed case is 5-7 days from the exposure. Testing of close contacts will be done in the health department parking lot by appointment only.

Another option for people who want to be tested is to make an appointment for the Wednesday drive-thru testing site by calling the health department. Testing at the drive-thru site is open to the public regardless of symptoms, but you must have an appointment to keep things running smoothly and not hold up the line.

Get the latest guidance for school, employers and community preparedness by visiting Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities [ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html ] or by visiting the LaSalle County Health Department’s website www.lasallecounty.org.

For general questions about COVID-19, call the IDPH hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or e-mail dph.sick@illinois.gov.