COVID-19 Information Page
COVID-19 Testing ($0-cost)
Friend Health offers two types of $0-cost tests:
Rapid Antigen Test (results are available in 15 minutes)
PCR Test (results are typically available in 2 business days)
Community Testing (drive-thru/walk-up) at the following locations:
800 East 55th Street (Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 1pm-4pm)5635 South Pulaski (Thursday: 8:30am-11:30am, 1pm-4:30pm)
Appointments are encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome.
COVID-19 Vaccines (all brands)
Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available at all Friend Health locations during any visits or during these community vaccines hours:.
800 East 55th Street (Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30am-11:30am, 1pm-4:30pm)
5635 South Pulaski (Thursday: 8:30am-11:30am, 1pm-4:30pm)
Appointments are encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome.
What to do if you feel sick
Call Friend Health at 312-682-6110. Our COVID-19 care team is here to discuss your symptoms, understand your condition, and take care of you.
Concerning the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Friend Health wants you to know the safety of our patients and care team is our highest priority. We want you to feel confident that we have created a safe environment for you to receive high-quality healthcare.In-Person Appointment Information
Please come by yourself if possible. Minors may be accompanied by both parents/guardians, and adults who need support may be accompanied by one adult. All Friend Health patients and their guests will be screened at the entrance to the clinic.
Informative Videos
Surgeon General Social Distancing
Handwashing Steps Using the WHO Technique
What you should know about COVID-19
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, and may include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Monitor your symptoms. Friend Health can provide instructions on checking symptoms and reporting information. Seek medical care if your illness grows worse, but call us first at 312-682-6110 to let us know that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help us prepare to serve you.
If you are showing any of the following signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can become infected with COVID-19?
Anyone can become infected, all ages, races, ethnicities, all geographic regions.
A person infected with COVID-19 can be symptom free, but can infect others. We call those individuals carriers. That is why social distancing is essential.
Certain groups are at higher risk of becoming infected:
- A person who has recently traveled to areas that have high rates of infection
- A person who has had close contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19
These groups are at higher risk of severe illness if they are infected:
- Those with chronic health conditions: diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure
- Individuals who are immunocompromised.
- Older adults (60 years or older)
How does the virus spread?
The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
How is COVID-19 diagnosed?
Diagnosis occurs through laboratory testing of respiratory specimens and serum (blood).
What should I do to keep infection from spreading in my family and community?
Stay home except to get medical care.
You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
Cover your coughs and sneezes.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can; immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water is preferred if hands are visibly dirty.
Clean your hands often.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water is preferred if hands are visibly dirty. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day.
High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.
Monitor your symptoms.
Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing). Before seeking care, call Friend Health and tell them that your symptoms are consistent with COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before you enter the facility. If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.
Additional information is available below.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)