NASHVILLE - Tennesseans will soon have access to rapid test results for the coronavirus, Gov. Bill Lee and founder of American Family Care Dr. Bruce Irwin announced Wednesday.
Using Abbott Laboratories' Abbott ID NOW Covid-19 Detection Test System, Irwin said the technology can provide information on whether a person tests positive for COVID-19 in about five minutes, while negative results take about 13 minutes.
Calling it a "game changer," Irwin said his urgent care chain will be offering the testing shortly in Middle Tennessee "and then we're going to spread out to the rest of the state."
He said he hopes to have 10 machines at each facility.
Asked about Hamilton County during the governor's news briefing, Irwin noted his company has four clinics in Chattanooga and that "we should be online in the next week to 10 days."
Length of time and availability of tests have been continuing issues in the pandemic that's swept Tennessee and the rest of the U.S.