To help stem the spread of COVID-19 and to support Chicago’s first responders, RUSH University Medical Center is providing priority COVID-19 testing for Chicago police, fire, EMS and military personnel, including Illinois National Guard soldiers.
“We know our first responders face greater risk of coming into contact with the novel coronavirus by the nature of their work. We want to support our police, firefighters, paramedics and military personnel by ensuring they have access as quickly as possible to COVID-19 testing when they find they have any of the symptoms,” said Richa Gupta, senior vice president and chief operating officer, RUSH University Medical Group at Rush University Medical Center. “Doing so also will help protect the people they are serving and help slow the spread of the virus.”
Chicago emergency medical services workers, members of the police and fire departments and the military should call (888) 352-7874 any time of day or night if they have any of these symptoms:
- Fever
- Shortness of Breath
- Cough
- Body aches
- Sore throat
- Loss of smell
The caller will be connected with a registered nurse, who will immediately assess the need for testing. If the caller meets the criteria, a test will be scheduled at Rush’s drive-through testing area. Results are expected in 24 to 36 hours.
First-responders should indicate their status when they reach the nurse.
Anyone who has any of the above COVID-19 symptoms may call (888) 352-7874, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for a triage assessment by a RUSH nurse; if criteria is met for having a COVID-19 test, one will be scheduled.