COVID testing at Atherton High School on 12-31-21

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools is experiencing an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 tests as the district encourages people to get tested before returning for classes in the new year.

Atherton High School's drive-thru test site was scheduled to operate from 9 a.m. through noon Thursday, and there was a steady stream of vehicles lined up as soon as it opened. 

More than 15,800 tests have been administered since JCPS began offering them at several schools. Officials said there has been an increase in positive cases over the past 10 days. On Dec. 20, there were 350 positive cases, with more than than 1,100 positive cases recorded between Dec. 27-28. An additional 656 cases were reported on Dec. 30.

Ballard High School had the most people lining up, with 521 tests delivered Wednesday.

One Atherton mother said she and her first-grade daughter came to get tested after learning a family member tested positive earlier this week.

"Please go get tested," Kathe Vagasky said. "I know some folks who lost a family member yesterday who was very young. It's very serious. It's very real. Get tested, get vaccinated, get boosters, all those good things."

When it comes to vaccinations, school officials said it's still unclear how many students have gotten their shots. Eighty-seven percent of JCPS staff have been vaccinated, according to information presented at the most recent board meeting. 

Testing was set to continue at JCPS locations until noon. The tests are free for students, staff and their families.

JCPS classes resume Jan. 4. 

This comes as the number of COVID-19 cases in Jefferson County continues to rise. Health officials said the county added more than 1,700 new cases — pushing it closer to the 140,000 mark.

Metro Health's Associate Medical Director Dr. SarahBeth Hartlage said Thursday that the county is seeing an incident rate of 124 cases per 100,000 people, with a positivity rate of over 22%.

More than 1,800 people have died in Jefferson County and 280 people are in the hospital with the virus.

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