27 new COVID-19 cases reported in Lexington; infections among young top other ages

Lexington reported 27 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, increasing the total to 1,334 since the outbreak began in Kentucky in early March.

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department also disclosed Wednesday that the most recent death was connected to a nursing home, Pine Meadows where 25 patients and staff members have tested positive, according to the state. One patient has died.

The county has had 22 deaths from the coronavirus.

On Tuesday, the county’s case count had grown by 23 cases following a weekend with 70 new cases.

Cases in patients ages 34 and under — 493 or 37 percent of cases — topped those in the age groups of 55 and above, according to the latest data. The older age groups had 423 or 32 percent of Lexington infections.

Of the 34 and under groups, 121 cases or 9 percent of the total occurred in those under 18 while 372 or 28 percent occurred in those 18 to 34.

Of the oldest age groups, those 55 to 74 had 336 or 25 percent of cases. Seven percent or 87 infections occurred in those 75 and older.

The health department announced Monday that there will be two free testing sites offering testing three days this week in the first effort of a mobile neighborhood testing program to help reach Hispanic, Black and other community residents.

• 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

Drive-ups and walk-ups will be accepted, the health department said.

Of the city’s 1,334 cases, 26 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.

This story was originally published June 24, 2020 at 10:34 AM.