Chattanooga's three major hospitals are no longer providing COVID-19 tests for emergency room patients with mild symptoms, according to a joint statement released Wednesday.
CHI Memorial, Erlanger Health System and Parkridge Health System will not administer tests to visitors who are only experiencing issues such as a runny nose, persistent cough or change in taste or smell. The hospitals will only test patients with more significant symptoms that may require hospitalization such as worsening shortness of breath.
The change was made to better care 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," the statement reads.
Those with mild symptoms seeking a COVID-19 test are encouraged to visit their local health department's website for testing site locations.
- Compiled by Kim Sebring