October 30, 2020 Southwestern Louisiana Office of Public Health offering flu shots, vaccinations and mobile COVID-19 testing in Lake Charles

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Oct 30, 2020 - Mobile testing for COVID-19, flu shots and vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and tetanus are available from Monday through Friday until further notice at the Calcasieu Parish Health Unit, 3236 Kirkman St., Lake Charles. The site is closed during inclement weather and state holidays.

Hours for mobile testing and rapid testing for first responders are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Flu shots and no-cost vaccines will be offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flu shots are no cost to those with insurance and $10 for those who are uninsured.

COVID-19 continues to be active in Louisiana as flu season begins, and now is not the time to let down your guard. Continue to take precautions: practice social distancing, wear a mask and wash your hands. If you have been exposed or have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested. 

Pre-registration is NOT required for COVID-19 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 are available in about 3-5 days by email notification and on the portal. If someone tests positive, they will also be contacted by phone. There is no phone number to call for results.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• 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

Test site details

• This test site is staffed by members of the Louisiana National Guard and the Office of Public Health.
• Once on site, those receiving vaccines or testing will need to wear a mask and stay in their cars for verification of eligibility criteria, ID check and testing.
• Office of Public Health nurses will administer COVID tests for children ages 2 to 15. 
• For those ages 16 and older, 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. A trained medical volunteer will observe to ensure the sample is taken correctly. Those being tested will drop the sealed sample into a container on their way out of the drive-thru site.
• 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.

Save the number 877-766-2130 in your phone

Anyone who receives a call from 877-766-2130 is urged to answer, as the call is from a contact tracer who will keep an individual's information private. Personal information is used to quickly identify anyone a COVID-positive individual may have been in close contact with to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. 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.

If a resource need is identified through the contact tracing interview, the case is flagged for follow-up from a resource coordinator social worker who can connect individuals with resources including medication, masks, food assistance and even help locating alternative housing.

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.

For information from the Louisiana Department of Health on COVID-19, click here.