WINONA, Miss. (WTVA) - The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) administered coronavirus tests for free in Winona on Saturday after Congressman Bennie Thompson requested for the area to offer testing.

MSDH Director of Special Projects, Nikki Johnson, said the department noticed more people interested in getting tested.

“We’ve done quite a few testing this month," said Johnson. "The numbers are increasing of the community members actually coming out.”

As folks drove up, the National Guard administered standardized tests that take three to five days for results. 

Lapeaches Pollard is one of those giving the tests to community members. She said the reason people are getting tested is because the Thanksgiving holiday is right around the corner.

“It’s around Thanksgiving," Pollard said. "They might have small gatherings at their house and want to know if they have COVID or, you know, if anybody else has it.”

Along with the holidays, Johnson said many people are seeking answers with the flu season in full-force. 

“Some just want to know their status of COVID,” Johnson explained. 

As of 11 o'clock, the National guard gave 13 tests to members in the area.