Tennessee Guardsmen have administered over 500,000 virus tests

Staff photo by Troy Stolt / Tonya Schuman and Rachel Tripp conduct a coronavirus test at a COVID-19 testing site put on by CEMPA and La Paz on Thursday, July 30, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Staff photo by Troy Stolt / Tonya Schuman and Rachel Tripp conduct a coronavirus test at a COVID-19 testing site put on by CEMPA and La Paz on Thursday, July 30, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

By Associated Press November 9, 2020 1 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee National Guard has administered over 500,000 COVID-19 tests to citizens throughout Tennessee, according to a news release.

The Guard first began helping with the fight against COVID-19 in March, when Gov. Bill Lee requested 250 soldiers and airmen to help the Department of Health operate drive-thru rural testing sites. Over time, the number of guardsmen assisting with the project has grown to 500, and their mission has expanded as well, according to the release.

Activated guardsmen are now helping provide testing at long-term care facilities, county and state corrections facilities, public housing complexes, hot-spot areas, and other locations across the state.

The Guard reached the 500,000-test milestone last week and is continuing to provide free testing to any Tennessean who may need it.