The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and its clinical practice partner, University Clinical Health (UCH), will open a drive-through COVID-19 testing site for the community on Wednesday, January 5, on the UTHSC campus.
Located in the driveway area of the Van Vleet Building at 3 North Dunlap Street, the site will be open to the public and offer COVID-19 testing Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is currently expected to be in operation through February.
No appointments are necessary. Those being tested should bring identification showing proof of residency. Proof of insurance is not required, however, individuals are strongly encouraged to bring it, if they are insured.
The site will be staffed by UCH employees, as well as UTHSC volunteers. Results will be sent via email and/or by text within 24-36 hours from the time a specimen is processed.
The Van Vleet Building houses the UTHSC Campus Police Department. Cars will access the testing site from Jefferson Avenue, turning right on North Dunlap, entering the testing area under the signage for the UTHSC Campus Police Department, exiting behind the building and turning right onto Madison Avenue.
As the omicron variant of COVID-19 surges, Shelby County is experiencing its highest number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Meanwhile, testing capacity has been limited due to staffing shortages resulting from the pandemic.
UTHSC and UCH have led testing in the community since the pandemic began, with sites at Tiger Lane at the Mid-South Fairgrounds, as well as at Appling Cove and Cresthaven Road.
“The university has a responsibility, as it has from the beginning of the pandemic, to do whatever it can to assist in protecting the health and welfare of the citizens of our community,” said Ken Brown, JD, MPA, PhD, FACHE, executive vice chancellor and chief operations officer for UTHSC. “We consider it a privilege to support the robust efforts of our Shelby County Health Department and so many other organizations through our clinical practice at University Clinical Health in expanding community testing here on our campus.”
“We are pleased to be able to increase access to testing in our community,” said Brandon Williams, executive director for quality patient engagement and community outreach for University Clinical Health.
For more information about the UTHSC/UCH testing site, the public is encouraged to call 901.866.8980.
Information about COVID-19 case numbers and available resources in Shelby County is available at uthsc.edu/coronavirus.