LOUISVILLE, Ky. —The number of COVID-19 tests available in Kentucky is increasing each day but some are saying the tests need to be more accessible to all Kentuckians. 

What You Need To Know


  • Tests are increasing, but not available to all

  • Those with underlying conditions & minorities most susceptible to virus 

  • Drive-thru testing has helped, but some still can't use the service

"Humanity needs to rise up and help stop people from dying and help stop people from contracting this COVID-19,” said Tracey Brown, CEO of the American Diabetes Association. “The way you do that is get into these communities where they would not ordinarily get the testing.”

As the pandemic continues those with underlying conditions and minorities are still the most vulnerable to the disease. A disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases are from people who have diabetes, of those that are being hospitalized and dying from the virus also are disproportionately diabetic. That does not mean however those diabetics are more likely to contract the virus, but they are more likely to have more serious complications if they do. 

“When you look at the overlap between COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations of people with diabetes, if you double click into that one more click, you will see the high disproportionate correlation between people of color”

Brown says the way to help combat deaths from the virus is by bringing access to tests directly to the communities that need it most. 

"Many of the folks in these lower-income communities and communities of color are also the same people who are working in these essential jobs where they actually still have to go and potentially could be being exposed to COVID-19, or they can't afford to not go to her or the jobs that will allow them to shelter at home to the communities.”

Brown says while drive-up testing sites are increasing throughout the country it does not help everyone, especially in impoverished communities. 

 “If you don't have a car how are you going to get to the drive-thru? If you don't have access to the internet how can you even Google to see where you can actually go to get the testing?” Brown said. “That is why actually bringing testing into the communities is so critical.” 

Brown complimented Gov. Andy Beshear (D) for waiving co-pays for tests, "Hats off to the governor actually pushing that to try to eliminate the barrier to get this testing into communities, this is so vitally, vitally important.”

While ADA wants more testing directly into the community they also are pushing for Congress to eliminate co-pays for insulin and prescription

medicine during the pandemic. Diabetics pay on average 2.5 more for healthcare than non-diabetics and account for $1 out of every $3 spent on medicine in the country. 

ADA is also pushing for Congress to ensure those who lose their jobs as a result of the pandemic do not lose access to their health insurance coverage — this is especially important for diabetics who rely on insulin to live.