LEXINGTON, Ky. — It's less than a week away from Thanksgiving, which means more people are getting a leg up on their safety for the holidays. For some, that means getting tested for COVID-19.

The current average daily COVID-19 case rate in Fayette County is 20.4 per 100,000 according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Human Services.

Dozens of families in Lexington are preparing to gather around their dinner table in less than a week, and many of them visited University of Kentucky’s drive thru COVID-19 testing facility on College Way Drive.

UK senior Nicole Joynt has been working at the testing site on her campus since April 2021, and she said it's a great job to have. The psychology major manages 18 credits and graduation this December.

Administering COVID-19 takes compassion, from talking about each step of the process with patients to counting to five and even asking them if they need a break to breathe.

“Let me know if you need a break in between OK, one, two, three, four, five,” said Joynt as she helped a patient.

Compassion that is what led UK senior Nicole Joynt to be a part of the COVID-19 testing staff on her campus. She feels good knowing the job she started in April is easing people’s minds during the holidays.

“My grandma is really worried about it, and when I see other people coming here saying I am getting tested before I see my family or my kids. A lot of patients will share their life story with you and it feels good knowing people are going to see their family because they were able to get a test easily,” said Joynt.

People coming to the College Way Drive through COVID-19 testing clinic have been in the holiday spirit. Joynt said they're thankful for the staff getting them quick COVID-19 results ahead of Thanksgiving.

“Results will be in 48 hours or less OK? One, two, three, four, five. One two three four five, all done,” said Joynt to another patient.

Joynt has worked Sundays before, but she knows this Sunday is different. It is a noticeable difference, she said her team has used double the amount of tests they usually do on a typical Sunday.

Dharani Ramaiah serves as the site manager at the College Way COVID-19 testing facility and believes an increased number of people are coming to get tested to ensure they can be around family safety or follow-through with any domestic or international travel plans.

“It is people trying to get a leg up on the holidays and especially with families gathering and everything. I think they are just trying to be safe. Again, with traveling coming around so going and visiting family, so we are having both sides of the table coming to get testing with symptoms but also trying to be proactive which is really great for our community,” said Ramaiah.

Children, adults and older generations all are able to get COVID-19 tests at the site, meaning everyone reacts differently to the nose swab. That is something Joynt has noticed and is most understanding of.

She mentions being patient and easing worries are a top priority of herself and the other staff at the testing site. 

“And [I] explain to them they are running the show, they can tell me if they need a break, this is all in their control. I am not here to hurt them and do anything they do not want,” said Joynt.

Compassion and care like this should keep people coming back for the future of their safety.