LEXINGTON, Ky. — Officials from different hospitals around Lexington are asking Kentuckians to take advantage of the free COVID-19 testing sites around the state so emergency rooms can be reserved for life or death situations. 

Emergency rooms over the last few months have seen an increase in patients coming to receive a COVID-19 test. One doctor from Baptist Health, David Dougherty, says emergency rooms are still available in Lexington, but hospitals are asking Kentuckians to use the free COVID-19 testing sites first for any virus-related cases. 

“I want to emphasize that, you know, if you do have one of those other conditions, if you are very sick, please still come to the hospital. We really want you to. The earlier you come, the better you know, you'll recover quicker. We can get you faster and correct, whatever's going on,” Dougherty said.

Physicians from UK Healthcare, Baptist Health, and CHI Saint Joseph's Health say it’s not a matter of supplies for testing they're worried about. Instead, it comes down to keeping employees safe and healthy so they can focus on helping those in need of urgent medical attention. 

“I think the biggest issue in most hospital systems, the staffing right now and the concern that you could run out of staff in the future. The numbers keep going off,” Dougherty said.

Dr. Roger Humphries with UK Healthcare also wants to remind Kentuckians that if they are questioning whether they have the flu or COVID-19, they should use these testing sites as a free resource.  

“We want the emergency departments to be available for every patient. We have to remember that the other emergencies that happened before COVID[-19], they're continuing, and we don't want to have any kind of negative consequences related to delays of care,” Humphries said.

Hospital officials are still asking Kentuckians to stay healthy at home, continue wearing their masks, and follow the CDC guidelines to stay safe during this time, even if you have already had the virus. 

“I've seen a lot of folks that have been infected by other family members being around other family members that they don't normally live with. I wanted to also emphasize that if you've had COVID-19 before that doesn't mean you can't get an COVID-19 again. For instance, we've seen some reinfections. And so you need to keep masking and social distancing, even if you've had COVID-19 infection previously,” Dougherty said.