To expand access to COVID-19 testing in the Chattanooga area, Cempa Community Care, in partnership with Alleo Health System, LifeSpring Pediatrics, the City of Chattanooga — Youth & Family Development and the Hamilton County Health Department, will offer free drive-thru and walk-up testing in the Avondale Youth and Family Development Center parking lot, 1305 Dodson Ave. in Chattanooga, on Wednesday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Individuals of any age may be tested, and no appointment is required.
“At our first COVID-19 testing event on May 13, we tested more than 200 people, and we’re looking forward to working with our excellent community partners to continue bringing this testing to Chattanooga residents,” said Shannon Stephenson, CEO at Cempa.
“It’s our goal to empower Chattanoogans with knowledge about their health that will ultimately work to keep our entire community safer, and we are grateful for the support and funding provided by our board of directors to continue offering this testing service.”
Testing is available to the general public without a physician referral, and those who come for testing can remain in their vehicles throughout the process of collection. Testing will be provided at no out-of-pocket cost. If a patient has insurance, testing site workers will document that information and bill for the services rendered.
Molecular testing will be administered by medical staff using a nasopharyngeal swab, meaning a swab will be used to collect a sample through the nose. The sample will be processed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) test, and results will be available between 24 and 72 hours after the sample is collected.
The RT PCR is used for acute diagnosis for COVID-19 and does not test for a previous COVID-19 infection. Information will be provided on what patients can expect after being tested, and patients who develop any symptoms should be re-tested. Please note public restrooms are not available at the event.
For any questions about the testing event, call 423-207-5831.