Expanded Testing
In addition to contact tracing and investigating it is equally important that we understand the burden of disease in our communities. Therefore, as our testing supplies have increased, so have our efforts to test for positive cases in our communities. It is important to note the following:
We are no longer assessing residents for certain symptoms, instead, we are encouraging all residents to be tested so that we can learn the burden of disease in our communities and have a stronger sense of when we can safely lift some of the restrictions that are currently in place.
Our testing schedule is as follows:
- We currently have free drive-thru testing available from 9:00 am until noon local time, Monday through Friday, at the health departments in Bradley, Franklin, Grundy, McMinn, Rhea, and Sequatchie.
- Residents in Bledsoe, Marion, Meigs, and Polk counties may also call their local health department during regular business hours for assistance in getting testing.
Starting this weekend we will hold large scale testing events (again at no cost) aimed to test a large number of residents in one three hour period. That schedule is as follows:
- Saturday’s event will be held in Marion County at the Chattanooga State campus in Kimball, TN at 2100 Main Street, from 9:00 a.m. until noon central time. Sunday’s event will be held at Athens Regional Park, in Athens, TN at 101 Regional Park Drive, from Noon until 3:00 pm eastern time. At these events, we will have multiple personnel ready to test all interested residents.
- Each weekend we will hold other large scale events in the region on Saturdays and Sundays, with the intention to host them in large venues with good visibility. We aim to continue using this model for at least the next 3-4 weekends. Feel free to pass along any ideas you may have for locations.
The Department of Health can test at any county health department should individuals have trouble getting to one of the sites below. Residents are, however, encouraged to utilize these larger sites. They have the most test kits, personnel, and protective equipment.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The TN Department of Health will have COVID-19 assessment sites available across the southeast region starting Friday, March 27. Following the CDC testing guidelines, patients with fever, cough, shortness of breath, travel to impacted areas, or contact with a known case should consult their private provider and then call any of these health departments. If, after a phone assessment, testing is found to be appropriate arrangements will then be made.
201 Dooley Street
Cleveland, TN 3711
423.728.7020
9AM – 12PM EST
266 Joyce Lane
Winchester, TN 37398
931.967.3826
12PM – 4PM CST
1372 Main St, Altamont, TN 37301
931.692.3641
9AM – 12PM CST
393 County Road 554
Athens, TN 37303
423.745.7431
12PM – 4PM EST
344 Eagle Lane
Evensville, TN 37332
423.775.7819
12PM – 4PM EST
16939 Rankin Avenue
Dunlap, TN 37327
423.949.3619
12PM – 4PM CST
