Shawnee Park

Editor's Note

UPDATE: By Friday afternoon, the Kroger website indicated there are no more appointments for the first week of drive-thru testing. But a Kroger spokesperson says the company will open scheduling up each day, 5 days prior to available appointments. They may adjust as needed based on customer volume.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing will be available by appointment to anyone who needs it in Louisville starting Monday. 

Kroger and Gravity Diagnostics have partnered to bring the tests to Shawnee Park. 

"We will now test anyone who wants a test," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said during his daily news conference Wednesday.

Tests will take place Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. starting Monday, April 27, until Friday, May 8. 

Anyone who wants a test must register for an appointment first, either online or by phone. Click here to make an appointment and create a patient portal to check the results. Or call 1-888-852-2567 and select option 3 for support. Kroger officials tell us the phone system is currently set up to only accept patients in high-risk categories or those showing symptoms until later in the day on April 24. 

There are a limited number of appointments available through next week. 

Patients must bring a photo ID to the testing location. 

Beshear and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer chose Louisville's location in Shawnee Park to be close to groups of people they say are hit hard by the virus.

"Louisville is 22-23% black," Fischer said. "Our deaths related to COVID are around 32-33%, so about a 40% disproportionality there, and that is something that is completely unacceptable."

Metro Councilwoman Donna Purvis calls the testing an answer to prayers for Louisville's District 5.

"I think we're going to have a really great response," Purvis said. "COVID-19 has had a really bad impact on the African American community ... I'm so happy. I welcome this testing here in District 5 in Shawnee Park. Gov. Beshear, Mayor Fischer and all the other partners: I just want to say thank you. Thank you for not forgetting about us."

Beshear and Fischer have said repeatedly that the key to reopening Kentucky's economy relies on more testing availability. 

"We all want to open up our economy in small steps as soon as we can, but it's critical we have the testing that will be our guide that will tell us when we are going to be ready," Fischer said. 

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