Gov. Lee Announces Aggressive Statewide COVID-19 Testing Effort
Unified-Command Group to spearhead multi-week plan to expand testing capacity
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. “Expanding our COVID-19 testing capacity allows more Tennesseans to have improved access to testing which will empower citizens to make informed health decisions.”
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.
The expanded testing effort launches this weekend, April 18-19, 2020, with the Tennessee National Guard popping up 15 drive-through testing sites across the state. Drive-through testing sites will also be available during the weekends of April 25-26 and May 2-3.
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 5 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,” said Dr. Piercey. “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
Events on Saturday, April 18, 2020 | |
Bedford County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Shelbyville Central High School401 Eagle Blvd., Shelbyville |
Claiborne County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Claiborne County Health Department620 Davis Street, New Tazewell |
Dickson County11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Dickson County Health Department301 West End Ave., Dickson |
Grainger County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Grainger County Health Department185 Justice Center Drive, Rutledge |
Hardin County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | First Baptist Church145 Main Street, Savannah |
Hawkins County9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Volunteer High School1050 Volunteer St., Church Hill |
Loudon County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Loudon County Health Department600 Ryder Avenue, Loudon |
Madison County9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Jackson Fairgrounds800 South Highland Avenue, Jackson |
Marion County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Chattanooga State Community College – Kimball Site, 2100 Main St., Kimball |
Maury County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Farmer’s Market Pavilion102 Riverside Drive, Columbia |
Monroe County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Monroe County Health Department3469 New Highway 68, Madisonville |
Montgomery County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Montgomery County Health Department300 Pageant Lane, Clarksville |
Robertson County11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Robertson County Fairgrounds4635 US-41, Springfield |
Rutherford County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Rutherford Co. Health Department100 West Burton St., Murfreesboro |
Scott County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Scott County Health Department344 Court Street, Huntsville |
Sevier County9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Tennessee Smokies Baseball Stadium3540 Line Drive, Kodak |
Tipton County12 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Brighton High School8045 Hwy 51 South, Brighton |
Union County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Union County Health Department4335 Maynardville Hwy., Maynardville |
Van Buren County3 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Burritt College445 College Street, Spencer |
Weakley County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Weakley Co. Health Department9852 Hwy. 22, Dresden |
Williamson County10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Williamson Co. Health Department1324 West Main Street, Franklin |
Wilson County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Wilson Co. Health Department 927 E. Baddour Parkway, Lebanon |
Events on Sunday, April 19, 2020 | |
Claiborne County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Claiborne County Health Department620 Davis St., New Tazewell |
Coffee County12 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Coffee County Administrative Plaza1329 McArthur St., Manchester |
Fayette County12 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Oakland First Baptist Church8695 US-64, Somerville |
Grainger County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Grainger County Health Department185 Justice Center Drive, Rutledge |
Madison County9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Jackson Fairgrounds800 South Highland Ave., Jackson |
McMinn County12 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Athens Regional Park101 Regional Park Drive, Athens |
Pickett County1 p.m. – 4 p.m. | B & K Grocery Parking Lot8460 Highway 111, Byrdstown |
Roane County9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Roane State Community College – Harriman Campus, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman |
Sumner County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Gallatin High School700 Dan P. Herron Drive, Gallatin |
Union County9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Union County Health Department4335 Maynardville Highway, Maynardville |
Washington County9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | East Tennessee State University1276 Gilbreath Drive, Johnson City |