There are two different types of diagnostic COVID-19 tests, molecular and antigen.  A diagnostic test can show if you have an active coronavirus infection and should take steps to quarantine or isolate yourself from others.  Currently, there are two types of diagnostic tests which detect the virus – molecular tests that detect the virus’ genetic material, and antigen tests that detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. Specimens used for molecular and antigen tests are collected with a nasal or throat swab or using saliva.  The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is using a saliva diagnostic test, which is broken out under molecular tests.

Data are provisional and are updated daily. Data updated:  

Table

Most Recent Testing Data

Region	Molecular	Antigen	Total Diagnostic Tests

Serology Tests are not included in the count of total tests at this time. For further data regarding serology tests please click here

On October 14, 2020 the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) began including both molecular and antigen tests in the reporting of the number of statewide total test performed in Illinois.  Previously, due to the limited number of antigen tests and limited information about antigen test accuracy, antigen tests were not included in the total number (which comprised less than 1% of total tests performed). In August, the national case definition for a probable case changed and no longer required clinical symptoms to accompany a positive antigen test.  An antigen tests alone is enough to be considered a probable case. With the updated definition and antigen tests becoming widely available, IDPH made the decision to include both molecular and antigen tests in its total number of tests.  Before the combination of molecular and antigen test, 19,307 antigen tests were reported to IDPH.  These historic tests have been excluded from the reported number of statewide total tests performed and from calculations of test positivity rates.