Unified-Command Group’s Total Expanded Testing Efforts Exceed 23,000

Monday, May 04, 2020 | 11:40am

Nashville, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced more than 23,000 Tennesseans have received a free COVID-19 test at 67 drive-through sites over the past three weekends, as part of Unified-Command Group’s efforts to reduce barriers and widen access to testing for all Tennesseans regardless of symptoms.

“Testing remains one of the most important tools for gaining more information in our fight against COVID-19, and the 23,000 tests we’ve completed over the last three weekends have provided incredibly valuable data,” said Gov. Lee. “We’re grateful to the thousands who came out to receive a test this weekend and we continue to remind Tennesseans: when in doubt, get a test.”

Soldiers and Airmen from the Tennessee National Guard supported Tennessee Department of Health personnel at 16 sites across the state May 2 and 3 where 5,153 Tennesseans received a free COVID-19 test.  Eight sites were operated on Saturday with 2,733 individuals tested and another eight sites on Sunday with 2,420 individuals tested. Hamilton county-operated their site both days and tested 1,168 individuals for COVID-19 representing nearly a third of the weekend total.

“Our weekend sites have been equipped to meet the demand for free testing across the state,” said Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner. “With ample capacity at our county health departments during the week, we continue to encourage Tennesseans to take advantage of free testing at these locations.”

Unified-Command Group, led by Director Stuart McWhorter, is a partnership between Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Director Patrick Sheehan.

WEEKEND SNAPSHOT – EXPANDED TESTING

 

 

 

 

 

Total Tests

REGION

COUNTY

DATES

TIME

Sat.

Sun.

NE

Carter

Saturday, May 2

 

0900-1500

295

 

East

Blount

Saturday, May 2

 

0900-1600

465

 

Southeast

Bradley

Saturday, May 2

 

0900-1200

292

 

CHR

Hamilton

Saturday, May 2

 

0830-1230

712

 

UC

Fentress

Saturday, May 2

 

1200-1600

206

 

SC

Lincoln

Saturday, May 2

 

0900-1200

50

 

MC

Rutherford

Saturday, May 2

 

0900-1200

635

 

West

Carroll

Saturday, May 2

 

1200-1500

78

 

8

 

 

 

 

2,733

 

NE

Unicoi

 

Sunday, May 3

0900-1500

 

188

East

Campbell

 

Sunday, May 3

0900-1600

 

397

Southeast

Sequatchie

 

Sunday, May 3

1100-1400

 

188

CHR

Hamilton

 

Sunday, May 3

0930-1230

 

456

UC

Warren

 

Sunday, May 3

1300-1600

 

221

SC

Giles

 

Sunday, May 3

1200-1500

 

136

MC

Sumner

 

Sunday, May 3

0900-1200

 

591

West

Lauderdale

 

Sunday, May 3

1200-1500

 

243

8

Totals

 

 

2,420

 

Grand Total

May 2 & 3

5,153