NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee is expanding its testing capacity for COVID-19, including making free tests available statewide.
Gov. Bill Lee said the tests will be available for any Tennessean at no cost, regardless of traditional symptoms.
"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 Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee Department of Health commissioner.
On Wednesday, the state health department reported more than 6,000 cases and 135 deaths. The first confirmed case in Tennessee was reported on March 5.
Tennessee is under a stay-at-home order until April 30.
"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," Dr. 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."
The tests will be administered by Tennessee Department of Health nurses and National Guard medics, with results projected to be delivered within 72 hours after samples arrive at the lab, depending on the lab volume.
The Tennessee National Guard will open drive-thru testing sites across the state, beginning April 18-19. The sites will also be available during the two following weekends.
Additionally, all rural county health departments will offer free testing five days a week. Click here for a full list of sites.
Anyone with health concerns or is concerned about the health of a family member is invited to go to one of the locations to receive testing for the virus at no cost. Participants will remain in their vehicles throughout the testing process. For more information on what to expect from the testing process, click here.
Tennesseans can also call a coronavirus public information line from 10 a.m to 10 p.m. daily at 833-566-2476 or 877-857-2945.
Locations opening Saturday, April 18:
Bedford County9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Shelbyville Central High School 401 Eagle Blvd., Shelbyville
Claiborne County
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.Claiborne County Health Department 620 Davis St., New Tazewell
Dickson County
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dickson County Health Department
Grainger County
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Grainger County Health Department 185 Justice Center Drive, Rutledge
Hardin County
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. First Baptist Church 145 Main St., Savannah
Hawkins County
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Volunteer High School 1050 Volunteer St., Church Hill
Loudon County
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Loudon County Health Department 600 Ryder Ave., Loudon
Madison County
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Jackson Fairgrounds 800 South Highland Ave., Jackson
Marion County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Chattanooga State Community College - Kimball Site, 2100 Main St., Kimball
Maury County
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Woodland Park 821 West 9th St., Columbia
Monroe County
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Monroe County Health Department 3469 New Highway 68, Madisonville
Montgomery County
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Montgomery County Health Department 300 Pageant Lane, Clarksville
Robertson County
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Robertson County Fairgrounds 4635 US-41, Springfield 710 James Robertson Parkway
Rutherford County
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Rutherford County Health Department 100 West Burton St., Murfreesboro
Scott County
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Scott County Health Department 344 Court St., Huntsville
Sevier County
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tennessee Smokies Baseball Stadium 3540 Line Drive, Kodak
Tipton County
12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Brighton High School 8045 Highway 51 South, Brighton
Union County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Union County Health Department 4335 Maynardville Highway, Maynardville
Van Buren County
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Burritt College 445 College St., Spencer
Weakley County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Weakley County Health Department 9852 Highway 22, Dresden
Williamson County
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Williamson County Health Department 1324 West Main St., Franklin
Wilson County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Wilson County Health Department 927 E. Baddour Parkway, Lebanon
Locations opening Sunday, April 19:
Claiborne County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Claiborne County Health Department 620 Davis St., New Tazewell
Coffee County
12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Coffee County Administrative Plaza 1329 McArthur St., Manchester
Fayette County
12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Oakland First Baptist Church 8695 US-64, Somerville
Grainger County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Grainger County Health Department 185 Justice Center Drive, Rutledge
Madison County
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Jackson Fairgrounds 800 South Highland Ave., Jackson
McMinn County
12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Athens Regional Park 101 Regional Park Drive, Athens
Pickett County
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. B & K Grocery Parking Lot 8460 Highway 111, Byrdstown
Roane County
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Roane State Community College - Harriman Campus, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman
Sumner County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Gallatin High School 700 Dan P. Herron Drive,
Gallatin Union County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Union County Health Department 4335 Maynardville Highway, Maynardville
MORE TENNESSEE COVID-19 COVERAGE
- Mask mandate, capacity restrictions lifted in Nashville; what you need to know
- Tennessee, Metro to offer COVID-19 vaccine to children 12-15 years old
- Nashville's COVID-19 testing centers to adjust operating hours
- Walmart pharmacies in Tennessee now offering COVID-19 vaccines
- Donate to the COVID-19 Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund
See all our coronavirus coverage here
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
