As COVID-19 case numbers are going up in Lexington, test numbers at free public testing sites are going down.
“Come on, Lexington. Let’s reverse that trend,” Mayor Linda Gorton said today. The City and the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department agree: testing is recommended if you have fever or symptoms, or if your healthcare provider has advised it. If you don’t have symptoms, consider testing if you are in close contact of someone with COVID-19, at high risk for severe disease because of your age or chronic conditions, or you are part of the critical infrastructure workforce, like a first responder.
There were 2,538 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the month of August. There were 1,702 total in July.
Despite the increasing case numbers, the number of tests being administered at free public testing sites has dropped in the past few weeks. “By being tested, our community can work together to keep the virus from spreading to those who may suffer serious complications from COVID-19,” Gorton said. “This disease is difficult. Some people have it and don’t know they have it because they have no symptoms. Being tested for COVID-19 helps our health department contain and reduces the community spread of the virus. It saves lives.”
MAYOR’S MOBILE NEIGHBORHOOD TESTING PROGRAM
The Mayor’s Mobile Neighborhood Testing Program has been an important part of making testing available across the City. Nearly 10,000 free tests have been administered in the 28 days mobile testing sites have been active.
This week the Mayor’s Mobile Neighborhood Testing Program is returning to Valley Park at 2077 Cambridge Drive, in the Cardinal Valley neighborhood. Testing at Valley Park is available from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday, September 2; 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Thursday, September 3; and Noon-8 p.m., Friday, September 4. No appointment is necessary. Drive-up or walk-up tests are available.
OTHER TEST SITES
Starting this week, free drive-thru testing is also available to the public at Bluegrass Community and Technical College, 500 Newtown Pike, through Bluewater Diagnostic Laboratory. Testing is available, without appointment, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Free drive-thru testing also continues, through Bluewater Diagnostic Laboratory, at Southland Christian Church, 2349 Richmond Road. Testing is available 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. No appointment is necessary.
Bluewater Diagnostic Laboratory, which also administers testing at Mayor’s Mobile Neighborhood Testing Program locations, is offering tests at no cost to the patient. Health insurance information may be requested, but is not required, to receive testing. Tests are available to anyone. Results are generally available in 48-72 hours.
Additionally, through a partnership with the University of Kentucky, UK HealthCare and Wild Health, testing is available at 1505 College Way and 1350 Bull Lea Road. Free drive-thru testing is available to the public from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., seven days a week. Appointments are required and can be made by visiting lexington.wildhealth.com.
Drive-thru testing is also available seven days a week at the Walgreen’s testing location at 2296 Executive Drive (the corner of Winchester Road and Executive Drive). Tests will continue while test kits are available. Online registration is required at walgreens.com/coronavirus.
Finally, most healthcare providers are offering testing options for their patients. Urgent Care Centers are also offering COVID-19 testing.
For information on more testing sites go to: lexingtonky.gov/COVID-19.
Bluewater Diagnostic Laboratory has been recognized by the state of Kentucky for expanding the state’s COVID-19 testing capacity. Based in Mount Washington, KY, they are committed to be an industry leader in cutting-edge instrumentation and testing methodologies.
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