Chattanooga Hospitals Halting COVID Tests At The Emergency To Devote Care To Surge Of Patients

  • Friday, August 27, 2021

CHI Memorial, Erlanger Health System and Parkridge Health System said they will not be administering COVID-19 tests in the Emergency Room to patients with non-emergent symptoms such as runny nose, persistent cough, or change in taste or smell.

 

Officials said, "We will only be testing patients in the Emergency Room with more significant symptoms that would require hospitalization, such as worsening shortness of breath.

We encourage those with mild symptoms, who are seeking COVID-19 testing, to visit their local health department’s website for testing site locations."

 

The hospitals said the action was being taken "n order to best devote our Emergency Room staffs’ time to caring for the increasing number of patients with medical emergencies such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, or other conditions that require urgent medical attention,"

Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 7/19/2025

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report. (If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com ) ALLISON,JACOB ... more

Driver Robert L. Lynn, 35, Dies As Vehicle Plunges Into Tennessee River At Highway 58
Driver Robert L. Lynn, 35, Dies As Vehicle Plunges Into Tennessee River At Highway 58
  • 7/18/2025

Sheriff deputies responded to the 6800 block of Highway 58 near Wolftever Bridge for the report of a vehicle crash with entrapment shortly after noon on Friday. Upon arrival, deputies located ... more

Man With Felony Record Found With Gun In Car That Almost Hit Officer Gets 37-Month Federal Sentence
  • 7/18/2025

A man with a felony record who almost struck a police officer while driving on June 23, 2024, has been sentenced to serve 37 months in federal prison. Joseph Watkins appeared before Judge ... more