COVID-19 Unified Command Continues Voluntary Testing for Housing Authority Neighborhoods in Knoxville and Memphis

Friday, May 15, 2020 | 04:05pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s Unified Command Group continues its effort to expand COVID-19 testing to vulnerable populations in coordination with housing authorities in Knoxville and Memphis to offer free, voluntary COVID-19 testing to residents and families over the next four days.

“We’re continuing to build on our success with community testing, in partnership with Metro Nashville’s Housing Authority,” said Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP, Tennessee Department of Health. “Our testing events with housing authorities in Knoxville and Memphis will enhance access to COVID-19 testing for Tennesseans who may be particularly vulnerable to the virus.”

On Sat., May 16, and Sun, May 17, UCG will provide free and voluntary COVID-19 testing at six Knoxville communities and neighborhoods in coordination with the Knoxville Community Development Corporation and the Knox County Health Department.

KCDC testing locations on Sat., May 16, open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., EST:

  • Cagle Terrace
  • Isabella Towers
  • The Residences at Five Points

KCDC testing locations on Sun., May 17, open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., EST:

  • Guy B. Love Towers
  • The Manor at Northgate Terrace
  • Montgomery Village

In Memphis on Mon., May 18, and Tue., May 19, UCG joins the Memphis Housing Authority to conduct free and voluntary COVID-19 testing events in five neighborhoods and communities.

MHA testing locations on Mon., May 18, open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., CST:

  • Legends Park North
  • Montgomery Plaza Apartments
  • G.E. Patterson Pointe Apartments

MHA testing locations on Tue., May 19, open 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., CST (except as noted):

  • Kefauver Terrace Apartments (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.)
  • Jefferson Square Apartments

Medics with the Tennessee National Guard at each KCDC and MHA neighborhood site will collect nasal swabs from those who voluntarily agree to a COVID-19 test.

Participants should receive their test results within 72 hours, depending on test processing volume at laboratories. Information will be provided to participants at the testing locations on what they can expect after being tested. This information is also available at: www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novel-coronavirus/TestedGuidance.pdf.

Any Tennessean with health concerns, or who has concerns about the health of a family member, can obtain a free COVID-19 test any day of the week, at any county health department. Find testing locations at https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov/remote-assessment-sites.html.

Governor Lee formed the UCG on March 23, 2020, bringing together the Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Department of Military, and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to streamline coordination across key Tennessee departments to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.