Inundated with sick patients, OSF HealthCare halts asymptomatic COVID-19 testing

Posted on December 28, 2021
The public can schedule a test online or find other information at OSF HealthCare’s website. (Photo courtesy: HOI/ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Signaling the sharp increase in COVID-19 case is straining healthcare providers to the limit, OSF HealthCare asked the public Monday to refrain from coming to its medical facilities for asymptomatic and close contact testing.

OSF runs two of Central Illinois’ major hospitals, OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria and OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.

“Right now all across the nation, we’re seeing a huge surge in COVID-19 cases,” said OSF Chief Operating Officer Dr. Michael Cruz, in a prepared statement.

“We are equipped to handle COVID testing for patients who are sick, injured or who are preparing for a procedure, but our patient volume is currently so great that we need the public’s cooperation to ensure proper usage of our health care resources,” said Cruz.

He added that emergency departments at hospitals “should be reserved for true medical emergencies and not used as a means to achieve a COVID-19 test result by asymptomatic persons.”

The healthcare provider said in a news release that OSF Care Station, OSF PromptCare and OSF OnCall Urgent Care locations will continue to serve patients experiencing COVID-19-associated symptoms.

The public can schedule a test online or find other information at OSF HealthCare’s website.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected].

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