CHICAGO — Chicago launched a pilot program bringing mobile COVID-19 testing sites to communities across the city Tuesday, as the city works to bring more tests to residents at highest risk of infection.

Working with the nonprofit Community Organized Relief Effort, the mobile sites can test up to 500 people a day and travel to communities where they’re needed most.

“We try to be as agile as possible so we can cover a lot of ground,” said Zack Oser, CORE. “We have a self administered oral swab, so it’s just essentially a Q-tip that you rub inside your cheeks and mouth for 20 seconds.”

A mobile site offering free COVID-19 testing to all opened in South Austin Tuesday, as well as testing sites for first responders on the Northwest and Southwest sides. A second community-based clinic will open in Englewood later this week.

Testing for COVID-19 is offered for free at any community-based testing site operated by the city or the State of Illinois.

Health officials advise anyone should get testing at the early onset of coronavirus symptoms including fever or chills, cough, mild or moderate difficulty breathing, sore throat, muscle aches or body aches, new loss of taste or smell and nausea or vomiting.

Additionally, anyone who had contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or was recently in a “high-risk” environment like recent protests should be tested.

Mobile Testing Site Locations: