NEWS RELEASE

JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA

Media Contacts:
Jefferson Parish: GHirt@jeffparish.net
Ochsner Health: pr@ochsner.org

May 6, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JEFFERSON PARISH PARTNERS WITH OCHSNER HEALTH TO PROVIDE MOBILE COVID-19 TESTING IN GRETNA ON THURSDAY, MAY 7 AND KENNER ON FRIDAY, MAY 8

JEFFERSON, LA – Jefferson Parish, in partnership with Ochsner Health, the City of Gretna and the City of Kenner, will conduct mobile testing Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8 for COVID-19 at pop-up locations throughout the Parish. Walk-up testing is available at these locations for anyone who wants to determine their COVID-19 status. Testing at these sites is also available to children, age 10 and older.

Members of the community who wish to be tested should bring a valid state ID and insurance card, if applicable. There are no out-of-pocket costs for those seeking a test and no one will be turned away based on their insurance status. Testing is available between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., or until all test kits have been utilized.

Please find the testing location details below.

“We are so grateful to partner with Ochsner Health, the City of Gretna and the City of Kenner on this initiative,” said Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng. “We also want to thank our Jefferson Parish Emergency Management Department, our Jefferson Parish General Services Department, our Jefferson Parish Parks & Recreation Department and JPSO for their hard work setting up these community testing sites.”

In addition to offering community testing, Ochsner has the following resources available:

• Call the free Ochsner information line at 844-888-2772 for 24/7 advice and COVID-19 information
• Established Ochsner patients can schedule a video visit with their provider and send secure messages via MyOchsner
• New patients can see a provider over video through www.ochsner.org/virtualvisits or via the Ochsner Anywhere Care app.

According to Councilman At-Large (Division A) Ricky Templet, “We would like to thank Ochsner for offering Jefferson Parish these targeted testing sites. Continued testing allows us to keep a pulse on ongoing community efforts to stop the spread and quickly address a hotspot should one arise. I also want to thank the Gretna Police Department and the Kenner Police Department for their efforts keeping these test sites safe.”

According to Councilman At-Large (Division B) Scott Walker, “Widespread testing is key to our community moving forward as we prepare to move into phase one of the reopening plan and beyond. The more we can get testing sites into different communities, the better the outcome for Jefferson Parish.”

“We all know that testing is imperative during this COVID-19 pandemic and we appreciate Ochsner’s support and commitment to making this happen,” said Councilman Marion Edwards.

According to Mayor of Gretna Belinda C. Constant, “Increased testing is crucial as the Parish evaluates safely reopening and we are delighted that one of the walk-up locations this week is in the City of Gretna.”

According to Councilman Dominick Impastato, “With this walk up mobile testing site, we are making aggressive strides in slowing and tracking the spread which brings us steps closer in re-opening Jefferson Parish.”

“We are grateful to Councilman Impastato, President Lee Sheng and Ochsner Health for making this a reality. We requested a Kenner based testing facility early in the COVID response and feel this location is optimal, not just for Kenner but for residents throughout the Parish,” said Mayor of Kenner Ben Zahn.

“It is very important that we reach out and test as many people as possible to control this dreaded coronavirus,” said Senator Troy A. Carter.

“I'd like to thank the Ochsner Foundation for their commitment to healthcare and the community. We know one of the primary ways to combat COVID-19 begins with testing; so, I'd like to thank Ochsner for setting up a new testing location in Gretna at Regular Baptist Church. This will be a blessing for the community,” said Councilman Byron Lee.

Both sites are walk-up and parking will be available. For the Gretna site, parking will be located in the Regular Baptist Church annex parking lots on Weyer St. between 6th St. and 5th St. Overflow parking will be reverted to the 2nd Parish Court lot between Derbigny and Huey P. Long, and 2nd St. and 3rd St. For Kenner, parking will be available in the lot surrounding the Jefferson Parish Library.

For more information about Jefferson Parish, visit www.JeffParish.net.  Residents can also receive regular updates by following the Parish on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@JeffParishGov).

For up-to-date information and resources on COVID-19 from Ochsner Health, visit www.ochsner.org/coronavirus.

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