All Long-Term Care Residents Will Be Tested

The state will begin testing all residents of some 700 long-term care facilities across the state later this week.

Governor Bill Lee said the move will be part of Tennessee’s efforts to increase testing in May. Lee said it’s important to test this vulnerable population even more quickly. At least 70,000 Tennesseans live in these facilities.

“The state will be supporting this expansion in testing,” Dr. Lisa Piercey said.

Efforts will begin in the 38 facilities operated by NHC Healthcare statewide. NHC operates long-term facilities in Cookeville, Sparta, Smithville, McMinnville.

Piercey said the state will provide swabs, PPEs, and even staffing, if needed, to conduct testing.

The federal government asked that all states test at least two percent of their population monthly.