Beginning June 1, residents of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis parishes will have more local options for COVID-19 testing. In partnership with the Louisiana Department of Health's Office of Public Health and local parish governments, the Louisiana National Guard will be operating mobile testing sites to make it more convenient for residents of southwest Louisiana to get a test.

Mobile testing uses trucks and equipment operated by the Louisiana National Guard to bring testing kits to neighborhood locations.  These test sites are generally open 8 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m. and locations in Jefferson Davis Parish will be announced a couple days in advance.

 

Test site details

Wednesday June 3rd, 2020 - 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Lake Arthur Community Center - 701 8th Street Lake Arthur, LA 70549

 

Thursday June 4th, 2020 - 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Jefferson Davis Parish Fairgrounds - 1006 S Lake Arthur Avenue Jennings, LA 70546

 

Friday June 5th, 2020 - 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Jefferson Davis Parish Fairgrounds - 1006 S Lake Arthur Avenue Jennings, LA 70546

 

The Jefferson Davis Parish sites, which will be staffed by members of the Louisiana National Guard, are scheduled to occur on various dates throughout June and details will be announced a couple of days in advance.

Testing is for open for any Louisiana resident 18 years of age and older with valid Louisiana identification.

Each testing site will be conducted as a drive-thru test site.

Once on site, those being tested will need to wear a mask and stay in their cars for verification of eligibility criteria, ID check and self-administered test. Walk-up testing is not preferred due to safety concerns, but walk-ups will not be turned away.

The site will use a self-administered nasal swab test that will allow those being tested to swab their own nose on site while in their vehicles, observed by a trained medical volunteer to ensure the sample is taken correctly, and drop the sealed sample into a container on their way out of the drive-thru site.

Once received, the Office of Public Health will contact those who were tested to communicate their results and share any necessary information.

While awaiting results, individuals who have been tested should follow CDC guidelines and take steps to help prevent the virus from spreading to people in their home and community.

Contact tracing underway

Dr. Lacey Cavanaugh, the Office of Public Health regional medical director for the five-parish region has said that contact tracing is also underway throughout the region. "Contact tracing can help us quickly identify and contain spread of the virus," she added. "Everyone can help protect themselves, their families and the community by talking openly with the contact tracer if called. The call is private, and your information will not be shared with other people."

 

Contact tracing is crucial as Louisiana eases restrictions on businesses and activities. Contact tracing works as follows: When someone tests positive, a contact tracer will try to call everyone who came in close contact with the COVID-positive person. Everyone called by a contact tracer is advised to watch themselves for signs of illness for 14 days from when they first came in contact with the COVID-19 person.

 

All contact tracers will call from 877-766-2130. If someone calls from a number other than 877-766-2130, claims to be a contact tracer and asks for personal information, hang up immediately.

 

The Louisiana Department of Health strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all state residents. The Louisiana Department of Health includes the Office of Public Health, Office of Aging & Adult Services, Office of Behavioral Health, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, and Healthy Louisiana (Medicaid). To learn more, visit www.ldh.la.gov