On Sunday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced a new partnership with Kroger Health to offer drive-thru COVID-19 testing services in the state.
The first site, located at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Frankfort, opened Monday, April 13 and tested 97 people, Beshear said today during his coronavirus press briefing.
Though it was originally to serve only health care workers, first responders, those ages 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions, Beshear said that it went so well today that testing can be expanded to include those with symptoms of the coronavirus. Testing is free of charge and will continue for the next two days at this location, Beshear says. Results should be available within 48 hours.
The Northern Kentucky Health Department also announced today that a one of the Kroger drive-thru sites was opening closer to home — at Summit View Academy in Independence. The testing site opens this Wednesday.
@GovAndyBeshear announced a new partnership to provide drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Summit View Academy (5006 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051) Wed., 4/15 - Sat., 4/18. To check to see if you're eligible, and sign up, visit https://t.co/3yRPj24Uw6 or call 1-888-852-2567.
— NKY Health Dept (@nkyhealth) April 13, 2020
Patients must register for a COVID-19 test via a digital registration process at thelittleclinic.com/drivethru-testing or by calling 1-888-852-2567, then selecting option 1 and then option 3.
The registration process follows a screening tool based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines to see if a person is eligible for a COVID-19 test, according to the governor's office. Then, if they are, they can select a testing location and appointment time. After that, they will receive an email confirmation and paperwork to fill out before their appointment.
When arriving at the drive-thru for their test, people are asked to have a photo ID and to leave their window rolled up until a health care worker comes to the car.
“Kroger Health’s vision is to help people lead healthier lives and it’s never been more important than right now for us as we help expand testing across the state," said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health, in the same release. "An innovative part of Kroger’s testing solution has to do with a digital registration process. We believe this process is the first in the commonwealth and maybe be in the first of the nation to provide a very easy way for people to register for the test.”
Kentucky hopes to conduct 20,000 tests over the next five weeks and each site expects to be able to handle 250 cars per day.
