LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — There's been a significant rise in the number of COVID-19 cases within Lexington's Hispanic population.
"About 30% of the cases that we're calling every day at the health department, that we're monitoring, are now people of Hispanic origin," Commissioner of the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department Dr. Kraig Humbaugh said.
The city is concerned about how rampantly the virus is spreading within all of its minority communities. The percentage of total cases in the city rises to 50 when factoring the African American community.
"Mobile neighborhood testing sites will be much more convenient for our citizens," said Mayor Linda Gorton, who led the press conference in Valley Park.
Testing is essential to help neutralize the spread of the virus because once a positive case is identified, that person can be isolated. The health department can then begin reaching out to those who've come in contact with the infected individual to recommend a quarantine.
Everyone is eligible to take part in the drive, or walk-up testing program, which includes asymptomatic people.
"They may have been in contact with a known case, or be living in a household with a known case," Dr. Humbaugh said while stressing the importance of getting tested, regardless of how you're feeling.
*Testing will begin this Thursday from 9 am to 1 pm, and on Friday from 2 pm – 8 pm at Cardinal Valley Elementary School. It will continue on Saturday from 9 am – 3 pm at Valley Park, under the sheltered picnic area. Daily drive-thru testing also continues at Walgreen’s on 2296 Executive Drive at Winchester Road for two more weeks, or while supplies last.
