Lexington reports 23 new COVID-19 cases, 1 new death. Test sites expand to reach more.
Another coronavirus death was reported in Lexington Tuesday as new cases grew by 23 following a weekend with 70 new infections.
As of Monday, the city has had 1,307 cases of COVID-19 and 22 deaths, according to the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.
Lexington reported 49 new COVID-19 cases from Saturday and Sunday after reporting 21 on Friday.
The health department announced Monday that there will be two free testing sites offering testing three days this week. Mayor Linda Gorton touted those sites again Tuesday as the city tries to reach Hispanic members of the community. Hispanic and Black residents have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus.
- Cardinal Valley Elementary, 218 Mandalay Road, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 8 p.m. Friday
- Cardinal Valley Park, 2077 Cambridge Drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Those two sites are the first stops for the mobile neighborhood testing program the city is partnering with Bluewater Diagnostic Laboratory to offer.
Drive-ups and walk-ups will be accepted, the health department said.
“Because the percentage of COVID-19 cases in people who identify as Hispanic has risen in Lexington, the Cardinal Valley test sites may make testing more available to this community, “ Commissioner of Health Dr. Kraig Humbaugh said in a written press release. “This is another opportunity for people to be tested for COVID-19 in a location that could be more convenient to where they live and work.”
Of the city’s 1,307 cases, 25 percent have been Hispanic, and 26 percent have been black. Both percentages far exceed the percentages of the population that are Hispanic or Black.
In addition to the two mobile sites, drive-through testing remains available seven days a week at the Walgreen’s site at 2296 Executive Drive (the corner of Winchester Road and Executive Drive). Testing at that site is expected to continue for two weeks or until test kits run out. Online registration is available at walgreens.com/coronavirus but not required,
Drive-through testing is also available by appointment from Kroger at the Bluegrass Community & Technical College Newtown Campus. Make a Monday through Friday appointment at thelittleclinic.com/drivethru-testing.
Lexington’s rolling 7-day average had fallen over the last week. The average was just over 20 cases per day after climbing closer to 30 earlier this month. The average had fallen below 10 in late May but had a resurgence after more and more businesses opened.
This story was originally published June 22, 2020 at 10:35 AM.