Warren County will begin COVID-19 testing next week

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – During Warren County’s virtual fiscal court meeting this morning, multiple COVID-19 related updates were discussed, including the reopening of county parks.

Beginning next week, residents in Warren County will be able to be tested for the coronavirus at South Warren High School, according to Governor Andy Beshear.

This testing site will allow for more accurate numbers of cases of the virus in the county. Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon hopes 1,000 people will be tested a day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

“Having a lot more confirmed cases doesn’t mean that we will have any more cases than we already have. We just don’t know about the number of people who are active with COVID-19 right now,” Buchanon.

With more testing, experts can draw a more accurate picture and make decisions on what to reopen and when to do it.

“We don’t want to find ourselves shutting down the economy a second time,” said Buchanon.

Officials say the parks in Warren County may begin to open slowly beginning in mid-May.

But social distancing and safety is still a top priority.

The opening of gyms and sports fields will likely be the last phase to open.

Buchanon also mentioned at Wednesday morning’s fiscal court meeting his feeling about choices made nearby states to begin reopening in the next couple of weeks.

“I see on the news the things that are happening in Tennessee and Georgia, and it literally scares me to death. It seems like a total disregard for human life,” said Buchanon.

Buchanon says the county does have a plan to slowly open businesses again, but he’s relying heavily on state and federal guidelines.