Employee Release Time for Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Event Nov. 16-18

To help protect the NIU community, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the DeKalb County Health Department and NIU are partnering to offer free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing from Monday, Nov. 16, through Wednesday, Nov. 18, for any students, faculty, staff members or DeKalb County residents who want to be tested prior to Thanksgiving.

Nasal swab testing will be available each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Anderson Hall parking lot. Vehicles should enter on Kishwaukee Drive from Lucinda Avenue. Walk-ups are also welcome, and test results will be communicated by the IDPH via phone within four to seven days.

The University encourages employees to attend this event to help keep our community safe and limit the possibility of putting others at risk as we head into the Thanksgiving holiday.

As a reminder, only participants who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms need to quarantine after testing. Employees who have no symptoms can return to work after participating in this test.

The University has authorized release time for employee attendance at this event, including hourly Operating Staff. Employees who wish to participate in this testing event should coordinate with their supervisors, and supervisors are asked to facilitate participation for those planning to attend.

Following the IDPH-administered test, employees have the option to participate in a second COVID-19 test currently in research development. Under the leadership of Elizabeth Gaillard, director of NIU’s Molecular Analysis Core (MAC) Facility and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, NIU is working to help develop the test. Participation in the second test, a non-invasive simple oral rinse, is optional but strongly encouraged.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Resource Services at humanresources@niu.edu.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email