CUTLINE – Pictured are National Guard and Health Department Staff set up at the Bethel University Paris Campus Parking Lot waiting to do Drive Thru COVID-19 testing for those who need it. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

PARIS, TN – Beginning today, Henry County Medical Center and the Henry County Health Department are collaborating to ensure that anyone needing or wanting a COVID-19 test receives it in our community.

To help expedite and expand capacity, a new drive through test site, located at the Bethel University Paris Campus will offer testing Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The site will be in the Bethel parking lot and highly visible to the public. Those wanting to be tested can enter off Tyson Avenue and exit onto Lake Street. Signage provided by TDOT and the Henry County Health Department will direct traffic to the new testing site.

The testing site will be manned by National Guardsmen and Health Department staff. Tents will be up in the parking lot to ensure drive through testing is quick and easy. Those needing a test, regardless of insurance and ability to pay will be able to do so for free through the drive through testing. Turnaround time for test results through the Health Department has been 24 to 48 hours.

HCMC will send all its COVID-19 testing through this process unless the patient being tested needs other tests for flu, strep, or a chest x-ray. Patients needing other tests will continue to receive testing outside our Emergency Room or will be sent through our ER for testing depending on provider orders. Patients who need testing prior to 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. each weekday or during the weekends will continue to follow the same HCMC guidelines as we have provided for testing.

“We are glad to be able to partner with the Henry County Health Department to expand testing in Henry County and the region,” said Lisa Casteel, HCMC CEO. “It just makes sense to work together to continue to ensure our community gets the resources they need and it allows us and the Health Department to use resources much more efficiently. We are thankful for the collaboration and the efforts of our Health Department.”

As a reminder, all those who are tested, must quarantine at home for 14 days or until negative test results are confirmed by the Health Department and their contact process.

HCMC continues to update daily our chart on our website that provides information on testing, hospitalizations, and deaths within our organization. It can be found at www.hcmc-tn.org. We are additionally posting on our social media platforms a daily update that provides information about COVID-19 at HCMC, TN, KY, the counties our organization serves, as well as statistics from the Henry County Health Department. Both will be updated and available by 5 p.m. daily.

HCMC Administration continues to follow the CDC guidelines as well as the TN Department of Health guidelines to ensure the safety of our patients, families, partners, and community.

How you can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as Coronavirus:

Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then discard in a trash.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

HCMC is making every effort to educate and inform the public on ways to remain healthy through our website and our social media outlets, including specifically rigorous and frequent hand washing. Please check back often for updates including a section dedicated to COVID-19. For additional information, watch a video from our Community Pop Up event on coronavirus here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-iA5IPc4G8&t=3s

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your health care provider. To learn more, go to our website at www.hcmc-tn.org or go to the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html

Located in Paris, TN, Henry County Medical Center is a progressive, integrated healthcare organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of Henry County and the adjoining region. Including a 142-bed hospital and other facilities, the medical center provides a variety of outpatient services, as well as inpatient care. Additionally, HCMC owns and operates 7 provider clinics in various specialties. Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit institution. For more information: www.hcmc-tn.org.