One of Lexington’s busiest COVID testing sites is closing. What that means for getting tested
The University of Kentucky and Wild Health will no longer offer COVID-19 testing at the College Way location after May 31, the university announced Wednesday.
UK offered testing to students, employees and the general public throughout the pandemic at the College Way location, with testing conducted by Wild Health. Since August 2020, UK has administered more than 640,500 COVID tests at its multiple testing locations, UK spokesperson Jay Blanton said.
“COVID-19 testing for Lexington and the surrounding areas was offered through a partnership between the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Department for Public Health, and the funding for this initiative will be exhausted on May 31,” Blanton said. “However, community members are encouraged to seek other testing options through their primary care providers, and Wild Health continues to provide community testing at Wild Health Field.”
Testing at 1505 College Way was one of the busiest testing locations in Lexington, with appointments quickly booked when they were posted as people took advantage of the free drive-thru testing. As COVID surged in late 2020, UK moved the location to the Blue Lot at Kroger Field in order to accommodate more people.
The location was moved back to College Way in August 2021, but continued to offer testing each day.
The COVID positivity rate has been rising in Kentucky in recent weeks. For eight straight weeks, the rate of people testing positive for the virus has increased, from 1.97% the last week of March, to 10.52% as of May 23.
Wild Health will continue offering COVID testing at Wild Health Field (207 Legends Ln, Lexington, KY, 40505), and appointments at the College Way location will be available through May 31. Wild Health also offers at-home testing, where someone will come to your home and perform the COVID test. Tests can be scheduled online on the Wild Health website.
A complete list of COVID testing locations in Lexington is available on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government website, and testing is available throughout the state.