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Beginning Wednesday, qualifying residents can be tested for the coronavirus at the Jessamine County Health Department.

JCHD Director Randy Gooch announced the program Monday in a YouTube video.

The testing will be free to anyone who qualifies by having one of the symptoms: a fever of more than 100 degrees, a dry cough, shortness of breath or diarrhea, he said.

To schedule testing, Gooch said people must complete an online screening tool on the Health Department’s website or by phone.

“If you qualify, we will have a Jessamine County Health Department representative contact you to go through another screening process,” Gooch said, “and advise you of an appointment for the screening.”

Testing is by appointment only.

“It’s very important we get as many people tested as possible,” Gooch said. “Even though we know there is limited testing availability, we need to make sure that anybody who is symptomatic … can get tested, so we can understand who has the disease. It gives us a better opportunity to contain the disease and be able to mitigate that in our community.”

According to the Health Department, four new cases have been reported in Jessamine County between Friday and Tuesday afternoon. In all, there have been 32 cases in Jessamine County since March 20, but only six are active.

Nearly 60 percent of Jessamine County’s COVID-19 patients are male, according to the JCHD’s data.

The bulk of the patients are in the 18 to 40 age range; the 51 to 60 age group adds another seven cases.