Lexington mayor urges protesters to get COVID-19 test as cases in city climb
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton urged thousands of people who have attended protests over police brutality in the past week to get tested for the coronavirus as the number of new cases continues to climb in Fayette County.
During a coronavirus update on Wednesday, Gorton said city and public health officials are concerned about the health of protesters who have taken to city streets for six nights demanding change after the recent killings of Breonna Taylor in Louisville and George Floyd in Minneapolis. Both were unarmed when they were killed by police.
“There is potential for more COVID outbreaks as a result of the protests,” Gorton told the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council “We are encouraging people through various means to please go get tested if they want to.”
Many protesters have worn face masks. Others have not, Gorton said.
In addition to testing, Gorton said she is encouraging protesters to wear masks during the protests.
Social distancing during the protests is difficult if not impossible, she said.
Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, also urged Louisville protesters to get tested in a written release on Wednesday.
We encourage those who have been participating in the demonstrations since last Thursday to get a free COVID-19 test,” said Moyer. “They can get tested through their healthcare providers or at other locations that are posted on our website.”
Gorton said Wednesday Lexington is also looking at ways for Lexington police officers, who have been in close contact with protesters, to get tested, she said.
The protests come as the number of coronavirus cases in Fayette County continues to increase, health officials said Wednesday. On Thursday, the number of positive cases in Fayette County climbed to 812.
“We are now seeing about 20 new cases per day,” said Dr. Kraig Humbaugh, the Fayette County health commissioner.
Kevin Hall, a spokesman for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, said those cases have been spread through person-to-person contact and are not related to a business or a facility. The number of new infections has continued to rise since mid-May when more businesses opened and some other restrictions were lifted.
“It wasn’t a business or a restaurant. We are seeing it in homes and spread among family members,” Hall said.
Many people have contracted COVID-19 even though they thought they were following social distancing guidelines, he said.
“That’ why it’s so important for people to understand that this isn’t over,” Hall said. Following social distancing guidelines, frequent hand washing and minimizing contact with others is the best way to stop the spread, he said.
This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 11:07 AM.
