High demand for COVID-19 tests makes it harder to get screened in Lexington

Jul. 16--As Lexington COVID-19 cases have increased, its testing sites have been busier than ever in the past weeks.

"We're seeing a huge influx," one test provider said.

The city's large drive-through testing sites, currently open at Walgreens, Kroger and Shiloh Baptist Church, have been facing high testing demand, making it more difficult for people to get tested quickly.

The Walgreens on 2296 Executive Drive has temporarily been repurposed for COVID-19 testing by the PWN Health Group. While it's open for free appointments seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., it has a backlog caused by high demand. Currently, people cannot sign up for a testing slot, since its website does not allow appointments to be made after Saturday, July 25, and there are no available time slots before then.

Kroger Health is also hosting a free testing site in Lexington at Bluegrass Community and Technical College, which is located at 500 Newton Pike. Its hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. According to its website, where those interested can sign up for testing, the earliest appointment date is Tuesday, July 21.

John Bobel, emergency management director, said in a Facebook post that the BCTC site had 400 tests booked on Thursday and recommended that people without an appointment go to the Shiloh Baptist testing site instead.

The Mobile Neighborhood Testing Program moved to Shiloh Baptist Church with testing from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday According to Mayor Linda Gorton's office, translation services, face masks and hand sanitizer are provided at the site.

Lexington-Fayette County Health Department spokesman Kevin Hall said that the program will continue to move to neighborhoods with residents who are at-risk or who have been disproportionately affected by the virus. While visitors may be asked for health insurance information, Hall said that the testing is free even for the uninsured.

There were several reports of long lines Thursday at the Shiloh Baptist site, which does not require an appointment, Hall said.

"This shows that there is a hunger for people who want to be tested," he said.

Hall said that the increase in testing demand might also be due to a greater awareness of cases spreading and the growing number of people who are close contacts to infected individuals. He recommended that those who want to be tested should call or check websites before they show up to testing sites.

"If you are thinking about getting a test, don't wait," he said. "The cases are growing at a rapid rate in Lexington and the need is there."

Those wanting COVID tests can also visit Urgent Care Centers, which switched to appointments only at its three Lexington sites because of high interest. Walk-ins were initially accepted at 1701 Nicholasville Road, 3101 Richmond Road and 4097 Nichols Park Drive.

"We could not handle the walk-in crowd," said Urgent Care Centers' Dr. Nawar Soda. "We're seeing a huge influx."

Dr. Soda said that appointments, scheduled in five-minute time slots from 9 a.m. to 8:45 p.m., seven days a week, are filling up quickly. As of publication, the earliest appointment time slots available were Sunday afternoon. He added that appointments make the testing safer and more efficient for everyone.

Testing at these urgent care centers is free through insurance and also free for the uninsured through the COVID-19 uninsured program, according to the Urgent Care of Lexington's website, where you can schedule an appointment. Test results are available in 15 to 20 minutes, Dr. Soda said.

There are two other options for testing in Fayette County with less availability. One is CVS, where testing is only available to those at high risk of contracting COVID. Those interested can see if they qualify by visiting the website.

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