LSU Health Shreveport to no longer offer COVID testing at North Campus site

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Beginning Tuesday, April 19, the Center for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT) at LSU Health Shreveport will no longer offer COVID-19 testing at its North Campus site.

This change is due to the low number of COVID-19 cases reported in recent weeks. A look at the Louisiana Department of Health’s COVID case map shows the cases are low across the state.

Some people in the area say this is the turning of a new page.

“First of all, I’ve had all of my vaccines, except the last, most recent booster. Up until very recently, I didn’t go anyplace without a mask,” Terry Gill, a resident, said.

Because of the low number of cases and demand for testing, Shelly Rayley, LSU Health’s COVID Strike Team program coordinator, says the site will no longer offer free COVID testing.

“The need for us to continue to offer community testing just isn’t here, and that’s a great thing for the community,” said Raley. “We’re testing sometimes less than 10 people a day.“

Health officials say there has been a decrease in demand and funding for community testing throughout the country.

While LSU Health’s free site will no longer offer testing, there are other options still available for testing. It can be done at many pharmacies, primary care facilities, health units and urgent cares. Click here for a list of testing sites in the area. Free at-home COVID testing can also be ordered online here.

“You know, primary care providers obviously all have access to testing now and like I said, the public health center, David Raines is still going to be offering to test,” Raley said.

The North Campus site will continue to offer vaccines and booster shots of Pfizer and Moderna. The site is located at 2627 Linwood Ave. Shots will be offered Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Preregistration is encouraged, but not required. Click here for more information, or to preregister.

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