THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA CHAMPAIGN HAS NOW RUN MORE THAN ONE MILLION SALIVA TESTS FOR COVID-19.

ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF WHO LIVE IN THE AREA ARE TESTED WEEKLY, WITH THE GROUNDBREAKING SALIVA TEST ACCOUNTING FOR 10 PERCENT OF ALL COVID TESTING IN ILLINOIS. U OF I PRESIDENT TIM KILLEEN SAYS THE “SHIELD” PROGRAM HAS LED TO A TEST POSITIVITY RATE OF LESS THAN ONE PERCENT.

KILLEEN SAYS THE SALIVA TEST IS CHEAPER AND PRODUCES QUICKER RESULTS THAN THE TRADITIONAL NASAL SWAB. HE SAYS IT’S DRAMATICALLY HELPED TO REDUCE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.

KILLEEN SAYS LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS ARE ALSO USING THE SALIVA TEST AND THAT THE U OF I HOPES TO SOON OFFER IT TO ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.