Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced free COVID-19 testing will be available for any Tennessean, regardless of traditional symptoms, as the Unified-Command group ramps up an aggressive effort to expand testing capacity across the state.
“As we look to reboot our state’s economy, we must have a greater understanding of how this virus is operating in Tennessee,” said Gov. Lee in a release from his office. “Expanding our COVID-19 testing capacity allows more Tennesseans to have improved access to testing which will empower citizens to make informed health decisions.”
The release said the expanded testing effort launches this weekend, April 18-19, with the Tennessee National Guard popping up 15 drive-through testing sites across the state, the release said. Drive-through testing sites will also be available during the weekends of April 25-26 and May 2-3.
In recent weeks, states across the country have grappled with the availability of tests and supplies needed to conduct COVID-19 tests, as well as the backlog for processing tests. Rapid improvements to the testing apparatus allowed the Unified-Command Group, comprised of the Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Department of Military and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), to develop expanded capacity and offer targeted testing across the state.
“Our clinical understanding of COVID-19 is changing rapidly and we need every Tennessean who isn’t feeling well, even outside of the traditional COVID-19 symptoms of cough, fever or difficulty breathing, to come out and get tested,” said Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey in the release.
A full list of sites can be accessed here or within the list below. In addition to drive-through sites, all rural county health departments across the state offer free COVID-19 testing five days a week.
Tennessee Department of Health Nurses and Tennessee National Guard medics will perform tests at each site and results are projected to be delivered to participants within 72 hours of testing.
“Until there is a vaccine for COVID-19, quickly detecting this illness, isolating if ill and practicing social distancing are the most powerful tools we have to stop the spread and help our state return to work,” Piercey said. “I encourage every Tennessean to remember: ‘when in doubt, get a test’ as we work to identify COVID-19 cases and keep our neighbors safe.”
More information regarding expanded testing capacity is available here.
COVID-19 Drive-Through Testing Events In West Tennessee
Saturday, April 18
Weakley County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Weakley Co. Health Department
9852 Hwy. 22, Dresden, Tenn.
Hardin County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
First Baptist Church
145 Main Street, Savannah, Tenn.
Madison County
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Jackson Fairgrounds
800 South Highland Avenue, Jackson, Tenn.
Sunday, April 19
Fayette County
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Oakland First Baptist Church
8695 US-64, Somerville, Tenn.
Madison County
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Jackson Fairgrounds
800 South Highland Ave., Jackson, Tenn.