Is my DNA kept or analyzed as part of this test?

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• How is the test specimen disposed of after testing?

  Test specimens are safely and permanently destroyed once testing is completed in accordance with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency rules and regulations. Negative, inconclusive, invalid, and rejected specimens are immediately discarded to be ...

• Are you testing for anything else? Drugs, alcohol, etc.?

  This question comes up a lot, but no, the covidSHIELD test only targets specific COVID-19 markers and is not able to test for other communicable disease, substances, or DNA.

• How much saliva does a person need to produce for a test?

  You will need to provide around 2mL of saliva (not bubbles) for the sample to be processed correctly (the vials used will often have a marking noting how much saliva is  needed).

• Can I schedule a test for myself?

  SHIELD Illinois does not offer individual testing. However, individuals can get tested using the covidSHIELD test by SHIELD Illinois through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) community testing sites. The list of sites and times can be ...

• When people drool, do the droplets stay in the area or do they disperse?

  Drooling does not generate an appreciable amount of aerosols, so there is nothing to worry about with airborne particles.