KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Health leaders said COVID-19 cases rose in East Tennessee during the summer months.
According to the Knox County Health Department, 38 people in the county were hospitalized with COVID-19 during the week of Aug. 11. That number is up from 32 cases reported the previous week.
According to the health department, three people have died from complications from COVID-19 throughout the month — the most since March with a height of 10 deaths.
While COVID-19 cases rise in East Tennessee and across the U.S., the White House announced that free COVID-19 tests would be available in late September. People will be able to order up to four nasal swab tests when the federal program officially opens up—however, the U.S. Health and Human Services Agency has not released an exact date for the program to roll out.
More information about the tests can be found on the government's website.