LEXINGTON, Ky. — Cases of COVID-19 are slowly creeping back up after seeing weeks of a plateau. 

Many COVID-19  testing sites remained closed for the Thanksgiving Day holiday, but a handful of them operated in limited hours to provide many Kentuckians a safe way to celebrate the holiday.

Soon-to-be graduating student Shalini Patel conducts a COVID-19 test to a couple who believes they might have been exposed after their adult daughter tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week.

“We're seeing a decrease compared to last year (on Thanksgiving Day.) However, there are a few cases coming up that are popping up and we're not even realizing it yet,” Patel said at a Wild Health location in Lexington.

Last year saw a higher volume of testing says site location manager Katie Sam Smith.

“There’s been a steady trickle of people coming in. It’s nothing compared to the volume of testing that we had last year on Thanksgiving Day. But you know we’re happy to be out here and be helping as many patients as we can even if it’s just a few,” Smith said.

Even with vaccines available now, Smith encourages regular testing for safe holidays.

“Testing is still important even if you’re fully vaccinated and even if your circle of friends is fully vaccinated, it’s always better to be safe than sorry,” Smith said. “Especially around this time of the year, the holidays, you’re going to be seeing your family, you’re going to be seeing your older grandparents who might be at higher risks so we definitely recommend to keep you and your loved ones safe.”

Add to that, Patel said a lot of people traveling will have to show proof of a negative result.

“A lot of international travelers, they leave around this time, because right around this time, school is almost over. it’s easier to leave now rather than closer to Christmas,” Patel said.

As of Wednesday, the statewide positivity rate went up to 7.05%.