KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Cars lined up in East Knoxville Saturday morning for free drive-through COVID-19 testing and for flu shots.
The event was hosted at Greater Warner Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church off Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. It lasted from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. as volunteers worked to organize cars and test the people in them. They also gave out information on where underfed families could get help.
Officials said that they hoped the tests would bring a little more peace of mind if participants decided to visit their families for the holidays.
"Everybody needs to know their status," said Cynthia Finch, a clinical social worker at the event. "The worrying part, the mental part that is weighing on people's hearts about whether they will infect their grandmother, their mothers. This is the opportunity for you to have a comfort level during the holiday season."
Officials said that test results from the event are expected to be back within 24 - 72 hours. Anyone who missed out on testing can still get tested for free at the Knox County Health Department on Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. They will also be open on Wednesday from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.