LEXINGTON, Ky. — In efforts to keep students and faculty members safe, The University of Kentucky launched its Phase Two testing with its main focus on Greek life.

What You Need To Know

  • UK beginning Phase Two of its testing plan

  • School focusing on Greek and other highly social areas

  • Testing will continue through Sunday

  • School is having good participation from students

According to the UK Restart Playbook, Phase Two of testing is focusing on highly social groups on campus. Fraternities, sororities, and other social groups will be asked to retest depending on the different events going on around campus. 

“With the students in fraternity and sorority life returning, those populations are going to be highly social; they're going to have a tendency to congregate. We also know within fraternities and sororities some of those buildings can be configured a little differently. You might have more communal living spaces which might lead to higher exposure.” Jay Blanton, the spokesperson for The University of Kentucky said. 

The university will use the data from the retesting to decide where to put extra resources in place for students and faculty members to help eliminate the spread of the virus. 

“There might be spots of higher positivity rates then we want. We can then go back in and take a look at testing programs and conduct surveillance programs and safety programs.” Blanton said.

Testing began on Sunday, August 23, and will continue through Sunday, August 30 from 8 a.m. to noon at the testing site near The 90 and William T. Young Library. 

According to Blanton, a majority of the students have already taken the retest and are willing to work with the school to help keep their fellow students healthy and safe.

For more information, you can check out the University of Kentucky’s COVID-19 Response website.