NASHVILLE, TENN. – State Rep. Ryan Williams, R- Cookeville, today announced the Putnam County Health Department will receive $475,729 in federal funding to expand COVID-19 testing.
The funds were awarded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services (HRSA) as part of the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Aggressive testing for COVID-19 will be the key to keeping our communities healthy as we work to safely open our economy back up,” said Williams. “Our county health department is an extremely vital resource center in the fight against this virus. I am grateful to our state’s leaders in congress who worked to make these funds available in our community.”
The funding for health centers is part of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on April 24. In addition to providing funding for small businesses and individuals financially affected by COVID-19, it provides grants for hospitals and health care providers, and increased testing capabilities to help track the spread and impact of the coronavirus.
Across the U.S., health centers are currently providing more than 100,000 weekly COVID-19 tests in their local communities.
The Putnam County Health Department is one of 29 health centers in Tennessee chosen to receive federal dollars to assist during the COVID-19 outbreak.