NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — This time next week, you may already be starting some Thanksgiving Dinner preparations, but doctors say you should be preparing for your Turkey Day gathering starting now, to stay safe.
With increasing COVID-19 numbers across the state, doctors are urging you to get a COVID-19 test if you’re hosting or attending a small gathering.
They say to be safe, you should already be quarantining ahead of time.
"Shelter in place now, pay attention if you're going out at all, wear your mask, and practice hand hygiene and social distancing," said Dr. William Schaffner at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Doctors also recommend getting a COVID test well before Thanksgiving but don't get it so late that the results arrive after the holiday.
So when should you get your COVID test?
Metro says its testing sites are getting results back within two to three days.
And the state says it's extending testing hours at its sites on Monday -- with the expectation to get those results back about the day before Thanksgiving.
With that in mind -- experts say Friday or Monday may be your best bets to get a recent COVID-19 test, with enough time to get results back before Thanksgiving.
