Free COVID-19 testing at sites sponsored by the federal government will end next week. Testing is available at Cajun Field at the University of Louisiana, the Lake Charles Civic Center and the Rapides Parish Exhibition Center in Alexandria. These sites are supported locally by the Louisiana National Guard and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).
Louisiana launched the surge testing initiative last month with 60,000 tests made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. About 3,000 tests are still available, according to LDH. The average turnaround time for results has been 3.5 days — much quicker than at most other COVID-19 testing sites.
These sites use the laboratory eTrueNorth to conduct the tests and provide results. Pre-registration is NOT required but encouraged by going to www.DoINeedaCOVID19test.com.
People must provide a telephone number and email address to be tested. An ID is not required.
Test results will be provided by email notification and on the eTrueNorth portal. If someone tests positive, they will also be contacted by phone. There is no phone number to call for results. Results will only be provided by email and in the portal.
With a limited number of tests remaining, people who have COVID-19 symptoms or anyone who has been exposed to someone with the virus are encouraged to get tested. However, testing is available to everyone.
LDH testing coordinator Kimberly Hood said the sites have been designed to support communities identified as COVID-19 hotspots. She encourages students and teachers who are returning to school in these regions to get tested.
“With the school year starting for some students, this is the perfect opportunity for any student or teacher who is concerned that they might have the virus to get a test,” she said. “With a three-day turnaround, people can get their results in time to make the best decision about returning to the classroom.”
Test site locations
Lafayette: Cajun Field, University of Louisiana at 2351 W. Congress St.
Monday, August 10; and Tuesday, August 11
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day
Lake Charles: Lake Charles Civic Center at 900 N. Lakeshore Drive
Monday to Friday, August 10-14
8 a.m. – 2 p.m. each day
Alexandria: Exhibition Hall at 5600 Coliseum Blvd.
Monday to Friday, August 10-14
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day
Symptoms of COVID-19
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea