LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This Christmas, families are anxiously awaiting to see loved ones but are taking extra precaution then in years past by getting a COVID-19 test.
Executive Medical Director of Norton Immediate Care Centers, Dr. Mary Rademaker said 2,009 individuals were tested just on Tuesday. Whereas two weeks prior Rademaker said Norton was doing anywhere from 1,100-1,500 tests a day.
“Well, we are definitely seeing increased demand for testing, we do a fair amount of testing for asymptomatic individuals,” Rademaker said. “I'm sure that's increasing with people who are anticipating family members or going to parties during the holidays.”
That's exactly why the Duffy family decided to get tested, peace of mind going into the holiday weekend.
“It’s extremely important in our family, I have a big family and so it's just making sure that we're doing our part,” Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) parent, Jessica Duffy said.
JCPS saw the demand for COVID-19 tests and added additional sites at all high school campuses throughout winter break.
“We originally had just planned to have the drive-through site here at C.B. Young open this week but there's been an increased interest in testing so we worked with SphereDX and they agreed to open some sites during the day,” Eva Stone, manager of district health for JCPS said.
After hearing that her teammate had tested COVID positive, 5th grader Rajanae Kannamore made the decision to get tested to protect her family.
“It's important because I have an older auntie and she's very weak so I don't want to get her sick,” Kannamore.
Doctors are emphasizing the importance of mask-wearing and social distancing as the new COVID-19 variant continues to spread.
“I think that we've had a lot more relaxation around mask wearing and distancing and restaurants etc,” Rademaker said. “So those are the things that give me the greatest concern is the general public seems to have let their guard down.”
JCPS will offer one more testing site from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday at all JCPS high school campuses but will to provide drive-through COVID testing on the 24th. JCPS will start back up again beginning Dec. 27 at 9 a.m. at all high school campuses. Norton will aldo offer additional COVID testing throughout the holidays.