LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has announced three new COVID-19 testing locations in the city to specifically target the Hispanic population.
The department reports of 1,284 cases of the coronavirus in the county, 322 people identify as Hispanic. The department says the growth of cases has been too fast.
"These are people in Lexington. These are people working in Central Kentucky and all it takes is one person, no matter their background, no matter their race or ethnicity, to get this and spread it to others," Kevin Hall, spokesperson for the department, said.
The health department is adding three testing locations in Lexington, all in the Cardinal Valley neighborhood.
"Being in the community, being in these neighborhoods that are predominantly Hispanic, being able to talk directly to them, speak the language," Hall said. "And to be able to have a sense of trust that this is in your backyard, these are the people that you know."
To get tested, you don't have to do anything in advance, just show up.
"It's a few seconds of mild discomfort as the swab goes in your nose. You get the sense of mind that maybe you're not showing symptoms. So you'll know if you're sick, you'll know if you need to stay home," Hall said.
The City of Lexington and the Lexington Division of Emergency Management are providing free COVID-19 testing:
· 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday at Cardinal Valley Elementary, 218 Mandalay Road
· 2-8 p.m. Friday at Cardinal Valley Elementary
· 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Valley Park, 2077 Cambridge Drive
Drive-ups and walk-ups will be accepted.
For more information, call the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 859-899-2222.
