Gov. Pritzker wants free testing for residents and staff at all Illinois nursing homes

Posted on April 29, 2020
The state now has 50,355 coronavirus cases and 2,215 deaths. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker says he wants free testing for residents and staff at all nursing homes in Illinois, whether they have any coronavirus patients or not.

For now, Pritzker said Wednesday the Illinois Department of Public Health “has secured a special contract with Quest Diagnostics to run 3000 tests per day from Illinois long-term care facilities at no cost to the facilities. And  has promised to provide results in a 48-hour window”
As for a possible strike next week by nursing home workers. Pritzker said, “We cannot let our seniors down. We cannot let people in our long-term care facilities down. It’s too important.” Pritzker urged the two sides to get bargaining and get a deal done.

The state now has 50,355 coronavirus cases and 2215 deaths.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

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