COVID-19 Testing Center Set Up in Macon County

By Jessie Williams

A drive-up COVID-19 testing center has been established in Macon County by the local health department with assistance from the Tennessee National Guard. 

 

According to Tennessee Dept. of Health Director for Macon, Clay, and Jackson Counties, Matt Tuck, a total of 28 individuals were tested at the site on its first day in operation last Friday, March 27.

The testing center, located in the back parking lot of Macon County Jr. High School, was created to alleviate any parking issues at the Macon County Health Dept. facility. 

Those seeking testing for the virus will remain in their vehicles when they arrive, and will be assessed by a healthcare employee who will ask a series of questions before determining if the individual should be tested. 

Based on that assessment, a nasopharyngeal swab test may be administered.

Tests are sent off to the lab at the end of each day, with results coming back in 2-3 business days. 

Individuals who are tested will then be contacted with their results. Those who receive a positive test result will then speak with the medical director to follow up with quarantine instructions and other information, including who they may have been in contact with recently.

The hours of operation for COVID-19 testing are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday – Friday. 

Tuck stated that the testing site will be assessed on a weekly basis with it remaining open as long as it’s needed in the community. 

As of Monday, March 30, three cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed in Macon County.

The number of confirmed positive cases in surrounding counties are as follows:

Trousdale County: 3

Sumner County: 164

Smith County: 1

The number of confirmed positive cases in the State of Tennessee (as of press time) is 1,834, which includes 13 deaths and 148 hospitalizations. 

This information is updated every day at 2 p.m. on the Tennessee Department of Health website.