COVID-19 testing is NO LONGER offered by LSUHS effective Tuesday, April 19.

Testing is still available at many pharmacies, primary care facilities, health units, and urgent care facilities.
For a list of COVID-19 testing sites in your area, visit ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.

*LSUHS Faculty, Staff and Students: CLICK HERE for more information

  

K-12 SCHOOLS COVID-19 TESTING PROGRAM

At the height of the pandemic the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) developed the Safer, Smarter Schools program, a plan to address outbreaks in schools while providing incentives to school-based health centers to support testing and encourage routine participation in the program. LSU Health Shreveport was selected by LDH to administer testing in K-12 schools in Regions 5, 6, 7 and 8 during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years.

LDH's Safer, Smarter Schools is changing for the 2023-2024 school year and is retiring its stipend and incentive program.

For information on how to access COVID-19 testing materials or request testing teams to visit your school-based health center, contact LDH at COVIDTesting@la.gov.

  

As of September 15, 2023, LSUHS has processed 883,242 COVID-19 PCR tests, sequenced 19,271 SARS-CoV-2 genomes, and administered 133,246 COVID-19 vaccines.*

*Numbers shown reflect overall totals of the CEVT to date, which include tests and sequences completed for the Louisiana Department of Health.

  

Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats

video clip image of LSU Health Shreveport building

KTBS-3 - The Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats at LSU Health Shreveport plays a big role in COVID-19 testing and community vaccinations. But another important role it plays involves the identification of COVID-19 mutations and the variants they cause.

Read More about LSUHS's Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats is a major player in the fight against COVID-19 (opens in new window/tab)

 

COVID-19 News from LSUHS

text over image of covid molecules - covid cases climbing, 9,387 new cases, 1,654,418 total cases, 18 new deaths, ...

KSLA12 - ”There has been an increase in COVID related hospitalizations again. Not nearly as many as in prior surges but definitely an increase, and that’s seen locally and nationwide,” Dr. John Vanchiere, Associate Vice Chancellor for Clinical Research at LSUHS  said.

COVID making a comeback in Northwest Louisiana

KTAL6 - Dr. Krista Queen with LSUHS says the COVID positivity rate in our area population is six percent. About two months ago, it was just below five percent. She says this is due to social dynamics returning to pre-pandemic norms and people not taking the same precautions.

What you need to know about the Bivalent Vaccine for protection against COVID-19

318 Forum - Dr. John Vanchiere, professor of medicine and pediatrics, director of community testing and vaccinations and principal investigator for the Pfizer Vaccine Trial in north Louisiana at LSUHS, shares, "The CDC recommends that people ages 12 years and older receive one dose of the updated COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine if it has been at least two months since their last vaccine dose."

Few getting omicron COVID-19 boosters despite Biden administration pleas

Washington Examiner - The Biden administration's fall campaign to get people vaccinated with the omicron booster has been off to a slow start. Dr. John Vanchiere, director for community outreach for Center for Emerging Viral Threats at LSUHS, anticipates that more people will get the updated booster as it gets closer to Thanksgiving in preparation for traveling and visiting family.

COVID-19 is still demanding our attention

318 Forum Magazine - At this time, mask-wearing, hand washing and being “up to date” on your vaccine are the optimal prevention tools for contracting COVID and preventing severe illness. Dr. Andrew Yurochko and Dr. John Vanchiere of LSUHS share the latest on COVID-19.

New coronavirus variant becomes dominant strain in NWLA

KTAL6 -  Local health experts say the BA.2 omicron variant of the coronavirus has been on the rise across the country and is now the dominant strain in NW Louisiana. “As mysteriously as the virus came on, it’s kind of evolved and become a little less problematic when people get it,” said Dr. Michael Sewell, Section Chief for Division of Internal Medicine / Hospitalist Program.

LSUHS to no longer offer COVID testing at North Campus site

KSLA12 - Beginning Tuesday, April 19, the Center for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT) at LSUHS 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.

COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise in Mass.

Boston25 - “We are seeing the prevalence of BA.2 increasing as the overall Omicron wave has crashed,” said Jeremy Kamil, PhD, associate professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. “It is spreading. It can infect people who were previously vaccinated, particularly if they didn’t have a case of BA1.”

What is the hybrid 'deltacron' variant of the coronavirus?

NBC News - Scientists have detected a handful of cases of the delta-omicron hybrid but say it's unlikely to cause a new surge. Dr. Jeremy Kamil, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at LSUHS says, "Delta basically grabbed omicron's spike protein. This is essentially delta trying to hang on by plagiarizing from omicron."

In the U.S., Identifying Your Variant Isn’t So Easy

Bloomberg - “No tests can tell you for sure what variant you have without full viral genome sequencing,” says Jeremy Kamil, a microbiologist and immunologist at LSU Health Shreveport. In the U.S., current federal guidance prevents labs from informing patients or their physicians about the specific genome-sequencing results.

LSUHS team conducts record number of COVID tests

KTBS3 - The LSUHS COVID-19 Strike team and Emerging Viral Threats lab hit a record high with over 14,000 COVID-19 tests conducted last week. This is quite a feat, considering many areas across the country have had to scale back testing to symptomatic people only because staff members and labs were overrun.

The race to decipher Omicron: will it take days, weeks or months?

Financial Times - Labs are scrambling to answer 3 fundamental questions: is it more transmissible, can it evade the vaccination, and does it cause more severe disease? Jeremy Kamil, a virologist studying Sars-Cov-2 evolution at LSUHS, describes his shock when this genome was released. “It was like coming home from vacation and seeing that someone hasn’t just planted a few flowers in your garden. They’ve remodeled the whole landscape.”

Dr. John Vanchiere, Professor of Pediatrics, LSU Health Shreveport (photo)

KTBS3 - “It's not an emergency, it's not a ‘got to do this before the winter’ kind of thing,” said Dr. John Vanchiere, director of COVID-19 community testing and vaccinations at LSUHS. “We’d rather have more young adults get vaccinated, than use boosters in that age group at this point. That would be much more effective."

Difference between third dose and booster

KTBS3 - Dr. John Vanchiere, an infectious disease and pediatrics specialist with LSUHS said some of the conditions that do not compromise the immune system, but make a person eligible for a booster shot include obesity, diabetes, heart disease and an age over 65.

LDH reports alarming increase in Severe Pregnancy Outcomes due to COVID-19

KSLA12 - “What we tended to see with the Delta variant is it has impacted our pregnant populations very very hard, especially at the height of the Delta variant we had transfers from all over the state of pregnant woman who were in respiratory distress and significantly decompensating,” said Dr. Caitlin Busada, associate program director of residency of Obstetrics & Gynecology at LSUHS.

LSU Health Shreveport first to detect New COVID-19 Variant in Louisiana

The EVT Viral Genomics and Sequencing Lab at LSU Health Shreveport is first in the state to sequence and report that a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been detected in Louisiana. The new variant, B.1.630, was sequenced last week from two samples collected in Baton Rouge.

COVID-19, Anxiety and Depression Symptoms

A new CDC report finds that U.S. adults reported experiencing increased anxiety and depression symptoms during August through December 2020 as new COVID-19 cases increased. Find strategies to help cope with stress during COVID-19 and how to get help if you’re struggling.

FDA review of Pfizer data for child vaccinations could take weeks

KTBS3 - Dr. John Vanchiere, the lead investigator in the Pfizer vaccine study at LSUHS said, “We expect that to take at least four to six weeks of time. And Pfizer and Moderna are both starting additional enrollment in the pediatric studies in that 5- to 11-year-old age range, so that they can get more data under the research protocol to submit to the FDA when it’s appropriate.”

LSUHS Pandemic Response

LSU Health Shreveport has been on the front line fighting the COVID-19 pandemic since the beginning. The establishment of the Emerging Viral Threats lab in March of 2020 led to mass testing and vaccination sites, clinical trials in patient treatment options and viral sequencing that discovered 7 COVID-19. variants.

Immunobridging data used in Pfizer vaccine study for kids

KTBS3 - Dr. John Vanchiere, an infectious disease and pediatrics specialist and the lead investigator on the Pfizer vaccine study at LSU Health Shreveport, shares "Demonstrating effectiveness that is preventing hospitalization and death or severe disease is very challenging in the pediatric population, because kids don't get generally very sick."

Delta’s highly infectious nature positions it to outcompete new variants, scientists say

Wall Street Journal - Some virologists believe the Delta variant evolved to maximize transmissibility and that its ability to spread rapidly will eventually reach a ceiling as more of the global population gets vaccinated. “It looks like this virus is already driving a Lamborghini right now in terms of transmissibility, so I’m not sure it can get much faster,” said Jeremy Kamil, a virologist at LSU Health Shreveport who is studying coronavirus genetics. Read the full article.

COVID-19 Strike Team Hiring Swab Assistants

LSU Health Shreveport is looking for Part-time / Temporary workers for their COVID-19 Strike Team. Swab Assistants are needed for Shreveport-Bossier, as well as Monroe, Ruston, Alexandria and Lake Charles areas.

FDA Approves First COVID-19 Vaccine

FDA.gov - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.

Viral evolution 101: Why the coronavirus has changed as it has, and what it means going forward

StatNews - By cutting how much the virus replicates — both through preventing infections and by shortening the infections that do occur — vaccines limit the likelihood of additional, more dangerous variants. Says Jeremy Kamil, a virologist at LSUHS, “The virus has to replicate in order to mutate, but each virus doesn’t get many lottery tickets in a vaccinated person who’s infected.”

Do you need a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster?

KEEL - Dr. John Vanchiere, LSUHS Pediatric and Infectious Disease Specialist, explains, "Booster shots are recommended for individuals who are moderate to severe immune-compromised. It's the same vaccine, just like the second dose, you're going to get a third dose of the same thing."

Masks required for runners at Falmouth Road Race

Cape Cod Times - “I would say (the road race) is probably minimal risk” for the spread of the novel respiratory virus,” said Jeremy Kamil, PhD, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at LSUHS, where he leads COVID-19 genomic sequencing. “It’s a lot of people running, breathing hard, but they’re breathing outside. The ventilation factor is enormous.”

Pfizer vaccine study for kids younger than 12 continues

KTBS - With children headed back to school during yet another COVID-19 surge, many parents of young children are wondering when those under age 12 will be able to get vaccinated. Dr. John Vanchiere, lead investigator on Pfizer vaccine trials at LSUHS, said the hospital is seeing an increase in vaccinations for the 12-18 age group. As for kids ages 5-11, the trials are ongoing and expanding.

Clinical Leaders address COVID-19 at LA-CEAL Town Hall

Dr. John Vanchiere, Professor of Pediatrics and Infectious Disease at LSUHS served as was one of eight clinical leaders in Louisiana invited to participate in The Louisiana Community Engagement Alliance Against Covid-19 Disparities (LA-CEAL) Town Hall meeting which was designed to provided updated information on COVID-19.

Parents encouraged to observe their child’s mental health as they return to school

KNOE - Dr. Shawn McNeil, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at LSUHS says mental health is as important and in some cases more important than a person’s physical health. He says some children are going through a lot of stressful events right now. including their sleep schedule changing, more expectations in a new grade level, or the pandemic, including mask mandates.

Indoor mask mandate ordered across Louisiana

KSLA12 - Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has implemented a statewide indoor mask mandate to combat the spread of COVID-19 and the delta variant of the virus. Gov. Edwards made the declaration during a news conference Monday, Aug. 2. The new mask mandate is set to expire on Sept. 1, 2021, but could be extended if needed, the governor said.

LSUHS awarded contract for K-12 COVID testing in 32 parishes

KTAL/KMSS - LSUHS was awarded one of three contracts in Louisiana to deliver FREE COVID-19 testing in kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) for the 2021-2022 school year. The agreement is in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) with funding provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

In Louisiana, vaccine misinformation and Delta variant grow

Boston Globe - Dr. Jeremy Kamil, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at LSUHS, oversees a team of scientists reading the genomes of positive virus samples each week. A run of samples this week found the number of cases involving the delta variant had exploded. Dr. John Vanchiere, a professor of infectious disease at LSUHS said a growing public awareness of local delta cases was one reason his team was now vaccinating twice as many people as a month ago — as many as 100 a day.

COVID-19 UPDATE PRESS CONFERENCE

LSUHS hosted a press conference where research experts, medical professionals and community leaders gave an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of the new Delta variant of the virus, along with latest numbers and efforts to increase vaccination rates.

Local clergy and Vaccination providers are joining forces to administer free vaccinations to all citizens at TEEN FEST

Local clergy and Vaccination providers, including LSU Health Shreveport, are joining forces to administer free Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccinations to all citizens with particular emphasis on teenagers.  Also, other health screening services will be offered including blood pressure checks, COVID-19 Rapid Test, glucose/blood sugar check and physical fitness activities for the whole family.

LSUHS Pediatrician on masks in schools debate

KSLA 12 - On Monday, July 19, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggested all kids age 2 or older should wear a face mask. “The ages 12 and under, they are a vulnerable population and the argument from the AAP that wearing mask in schools will help lessen the risk of transmission and infectivity for those, I think is a very strong argument,” said Thomas.

Facts Not Fear: Top Shreveport Doctor Has Delta Variant Answers

KEEL Radio - LSUHS Dr. John Vanchiere talks about the medical community's growing concern over the new COVID Delta variant. "We've gone from a hundred cases a day to over twelve hundred cases a day," he says, addressing the increase across the state, "We're seeing a lot more infections now, locally as well as statewide. It's a big surge in infections."

As Delta variant rises, so do second-dose skippers

Boston 25 News - Dr. Jeremy Kamil, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at LSU Health in Shreveport, Louisiana, calls the two-dose data very clear and very strong. “You can control your behavior and go back and get that second shot and do your part to protect our community and to protect our country from the pandemic having another big wave here."

COVID-19 boosters likely not needed for first year

KTBS 3 - Dr. John Vanchiere, an infectious disease specialist and the principal investigator in the Pfizer vaccine study at LSU Health Shreveport, said they are now in the 10th month of the initial clinical trials and no booster is needed so far. “So our current look is that for the vast majority of people, boosters are not on the horizon, at least for the first year after injection.”

Getting the vaccine gets easier, multiple agencies collaborate to bring it to communities

KTBS 3 - A mobile vaccination effort continued at the Renaissance of Allendale Apartments. This was a collaborative effort of multiple agencies: City of Shreveport, HUD, Department of HHS, LSU Health Shreveport and Shreveport Housing Authority. "The way that we combat that virus, the way that we get back to normalcy is through being vaccinated and I do not want us to let our guard down," said Shreveport Mayor Perkins. 

Delta plus India: Scientists say too early to tell risk of Covid-19 variant

BBC World - Even with 166 examples of Delta plus shared on GISAID, "we don't have much reason to believe this is any more dangerous than the original Delta," according to Dr Jeremy Kamil, a virologist at LSU Health Shreveport. "Delta plus might have a slight advantage at infecting and spreading between people previously infected earlier or who have weak or incomplete vaccine immunity."

Delta coronavirus variant: scientists brace for impact

Nature - The rapid rise of the highly transmissible strain in the United Kingdom has put countries in Europe, North America and Africa on watch. Jeremy Kamil, a virologist at LSU Health Shreveport, expects Delta to eventually become dominant in the United States, “but to be somewhat blunted by vaccination”.

COVID vaccination efforts continue into summer months

KSLA 12 - Across Louisiana, more than 3 million doses of the vaccine have been placed in arms, while 1.4 million Louisianans are fully vaccinated — about 32% of the state. “The faster we can vaccinate ... the more difficult it is for these variants to emerge across the world, and we are seeing it,” LSUHS Dr. John Vanchiere said.

LSU Health Shreveport Receives $730,000 in NIH Funding for Sequencing of COVID-19

Red River Radio - Work by Drs. Jeremy Kamil and Rona Scott along with COBRE principal investigators Drs. Andrew Yurochko and Chris Kevil has produced and shared 2,839 full coverage SARS-CoV-2 genomes, which amounts to over 60% of the SARSCoV-2 genome surveillance from Louisiana, and 1.2 % of the total US data submitted to GISAID which is the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data.

Rockefeller Foundation announces grant funding to LSUHS to build coalition to detect and respond to pandemic threats

The Rockefeller Foundation - LSU Health Shreveport (LSUHS) is receiving funding ($340,000) from the Rockefeller Foundation. This follows the announcement yesterday of LSUHS being awarded $730,000 to further its work in genomic sequencing of COVID-19 through a NIH supplemental grant.  LSUHS joins Harvard and the Broad Institute at MIT among others in the US Regional Accelerators for Genomic Surveillance.

LSU Health Shreveport detects first reported B.1.617.2 (Indian) COVID-19 variant in Louisiana

LSU Health Shreveport has identified two cases of the novel COVID-19 variant of concern, B.1.617.2, which was first identified in India and is rapidly spreading around the world. LSU Health Shreveport sequencing also reveals that B.1.1.7, sometimes called “the U.K. variant,” remains dominant in North Louisiana, as is the case in the rest of the United States, as well. 

Why second shot is critical for COVID-19 protection

ArkLaTex Homepage - “Why the second shot is so important, is the first one gives you a good response, the second one is better, and the third one gets even better and better and better. And so it just primes your immune response,” Dr. Andrew Yurochko, professor of microbiology and immunology at LSUHS said.

Variant of interest at play in Grant County

Blue Mountain Eagle - Dr. Jeremy Kamil, an associate professor of Microbiology and Immunology at LSU Health Shreveport, said it is crucial to be mindful of “over-interpreting” the emergence of a variant. Virus variants are a significant public health concern, but viruses continually change.

A COVID-19 patient receives treatment at a hospital in Bangalore, India

China Daily - "Despite a few mutations here and there, the virus is still SARS-CoV-2 and the disease is still COVID-19. Risk will be highest to the elderly, and to those in high-risk groups, such as people who are diabetic, overweight, (have) high blood pressure, or who have inborn errors of immunity," warned Dr. Jeremy Kamil, LSUHS associate professor.

CNN interview with Dr. Jeremy Kamil on India's COVID-19 Situation

CNN News 18 - India recorded on Monday 3,52,991 new Covid-19 cases and 2,812 deaths in the last 24 hours. The country saw 22.5 lakh new infections in the last one week, the highest ever the world has seen, pushing India’s health infrastructure to a brim.

Are The New COVID-19 Mutations More Dangerous?

BoomNews India - Number of COVID-19 cases in India is now at the highest per day in any country in the world. Dr. Jeremy Kamil, LSUHS virologist, discusses status of variants, vaccines, and transmissability.

People in line for COVID19 testing in Jammu, Kashmir by EPA

BBC News - A coronavirus variant identified in India is being investigated by scientists across the world. However, it is not yet known how far it has spread or whether it is driving the deadly second wave of Covid in India itself. Dr Jeremy Kamil, a virologist at LSUHS, says, "I doubt whether the Indian variant is more infectious than the UK variant - and we must not panic."

woman receiving covid19 vaccine

KTBS 3 - "Those who are hesitant, and I would say that's the vast majority ... those who are hesitant, than refusing ... will see very quickly that their colleagues have gotten the vaccine and no adverse side effects or long term complications or other issues," said Dr. John Vanchiere of LSU Health Shreveport.

So, you got your vaccine. What should you do now?

KSLA12 - According to the CDC, medical experts are still working to learn whether or not the vaccine slows transmission rates, even if you don’t get sick. That’s why, for now, even after you get the vaccine, you are urged to continue behaviors that are proven to slow the spread of the virus.

Dr. G.E. Ghali to speak at National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine

We are proud to announce that on February 24, 2021, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EST Dr. G.E. Ghali, Chancellor for LSU Health Shreveport has been invited to be part of a panel of four people on one of the Town Hall Sessions on the topic of Building Bridges between Public Health and Healthcare Systems to Ensure Equitable Vaccination.

Dr. John Vanchiere at media conference, photo by Scott Ferrell, Shreveport Times

Shreveport Times - Dr. John Vanchiere, professor and chief of pediatric infectious diseases at LSUHS, talked about the benefits of getting the vaccine and its safety. “We know that early on when people get infected with COVID-19, most people have no symptoms at all and that is one of the very critical features of this type of infection compared to influenza."

scientist in lab

Bloomberg.com - Even the type of sequencing done in the U.S. has been lacking, some experts say, with much of the effort focused on finding cases of the U.K. variant, rather than casting a wider net for any variant, including ones not previously identified, said Jeremy Kamil, a virologist at LSU Health Shreveport. “It’s the Wild West,” he said. “Every state, city, county is doing its own thing. It’s a bunch of random cats and no one is trying to herd them.”

man holding a sticker that says I got the COVID-19 vaccine at LSU Health Shreveport

This week LSU Health Shreveport took a historic step towards stopping the spread of the coronavirus. In addition to continuously testing for COVID-19, the Emerging Viral Threat Lab has now organized the distribution of the vaccine to individuals age 70 and up. On the first day of testing, over 1100 seniors were able to get the vaccine from the safety of their vehicles.

COVID-19 vaccine arrives at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport

KSLA 12 - “It is gratifying to see LSU Health Shreveport’s contributions to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine through licensing of a LSUHS patent to BioNTech for mRNA-stabilizing cap analogs and in serving as the only north Louisiana vaccine trial site. Additionally our numerous COVID-19 clinical trials are providing access to novel therapies reflecting the benefit of having an academic medical center in our community,” shared Dr. G.E. Ghali, Chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport.

video clip image

KSLA 12- “If the EVT Lab had not existed, quite frankly, I think we’d be in a much darker place here in the northern part of the state,” said Dr. Chris Kevil, vice chancellor of research and one of the leading minds behind creation of the lab. “The EVT Lab has been fundamental in our ability to monitor COVID infections in patients out in this community."

Dr. John Vanchiere, Professor of Pediatrics, LSU Health Shreveport (photo)

Dr. John Vanchiere, professor of pediatrics and infectious disease at LSU Health Shreveport, stresses that now, more than ever, people should get a flu shot. Particularly if they are around children.

LSU Health Shreveport Leads Louisiana  in COVID-19 VIRAL GENOME SEQUENCING

The Emerging Viral Threat (EVT) Lab at LSU Health Shreveport has now sequenced a total 651 Louisiana SARS-CoV-2 virus genomes making them the largest contributor to date of genetic data on SARS-CoV-2 in the state. SARS-CoV-2, which is short for ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2,’ is the virus that causes COVID-19, and viral genome sequencing is contributing to a worldwide effort to fight the ongoing pandemic.

LSUHS COVID Surveillance Strike Team honored as a Patriot of the Pandemic

The Bossier Chamber of Commerce honored “Patriots of the Pandemic” to recognize those in the community who played key roles in fighting back the pandemic. LSU Health Shreveport’s COVID Surveillance Strike Team received a special Eagle Award for testing coordination inside nursing homes.

Photo: Scientists at work in the LSU Health Shreveport EVT Lab

The Emerging Viral Threat Lab at LSU Health Shreveport has processed over 110,000 COVID-19 test samples from multiple public health regions of the state and created over 170,000 test kits which were distributed throughout the state during its first six months of operation.

Syringe. Pixabay

LSUHS is expanding enrollment in the Pfizer-sponsored COVID-19 vaccine study for the next two weeks to include individuals ages 16-18 and those older than 85 years of age.  Those interested in participating in this important vaccine trial should sign up as quickly as possible.  

Dr. Chris Kevil talks to us about wearing a mask. HENRIETTA WILDSMITH, SHREVEPORT TIMES

Shreveport Times recaps the past 6 months with COVID-19 and talks to LSU Health Shreveport's Dr. Chris Kevil about what the next 6 months will entail with vaccine development.

COVID-19 testing administered in drive up testing. LSU Health Shreveport

Health Matters host, Dr. Sanford Katz, was  joined by LSUHS's Andrew Yurochko, PhD, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Carroll Feist Chair of Viral Oncology and Dr. John Vanchiere, Chief of the Department of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases. to discuss testing, treatments and vaccines for COVID-19.

Governor Edwards Press Conference July 28 2020

Chancellor Dr. G. E. Ghali spoke at the COVID-19 press conference  about the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Louisiana, the EVT Lab and testing in North Louisiana and the importance of wearing masks.

Credit: Pixabay

"The stress and fear associated with the COVID-19 pandemic will result in unprecedented increases in drug and alcohol use among our friends, our families and others in our communities," states Dr. Goeders, Executive Director of the Louisiana Addiction Research Center.

Photo by 318 Forum Magazine, doctors featured in story

“Our unique team of women made the vision for the EVT Lab a reality. They are the true beating heart of the lab,” said Andrew Yurochko, PhD “Without them, there is no way this would be possible. As a group, they have worked the longest and hardest hours. They are really the superheroes.”

Close up of 3D Printed Nasal Swab

As part of a national cooperative with the University of South Florida (USF) Health, Northwell Health, New York’s largest healthcare provider, and Formlabs, LSU Health Shreveport has obtained the printing files for a patented swab design, becoming the first in Louisiana to produce these patented 3D-printed swabs.

Press Conference announcing expanded rural mobile COVID-19 Testing

Realizing the need for more testing in rural and other underserved locations in Northwest Louisiana, the Caddo Parish Commission voted to provide up to $175,000 to LSU Health Shreveport for the Clinic’s mobile unit. The allocation will assist with operations and testing. Expanded testing is north Louisiana will occur thanks to a $125,000 gift by Inferno Manufacturing Corporation.

KEEL Radio News - LSU Health Shreveport starts two promising COVID Clinical Trials - image of scientist in the lab

For the majority of the first month of the outbreak in the State of Louisiana, Caddo Parish and Shreveport led the way in completed tests. That trend has now been joined by the way that LSU Health Shreveport is attacking the virus in the effort to defeat COVID-19.

image of scientist working in lab

Chancellor Ghali explains the medical school's growing role in the COVID 19 fight. "We already have a robust and incredibly well known virology department," he says, adding that their experience in SARS virus research laid the groundwork for this challenge. "What (our) lab allows us to do is test up to about 2,000 samples a day." Ghali says these samples are coming to LSUHS from all over the country.

Scientists working in lab

Having an academic medical center is a “gem” touted frequently throughout north Louisiana and beyond. While many in the nation are fearful of having appropriate access to testing and quality care during the Covid-19 pandemic, thanks to LSU Health Shreveport, north Louisiana is infinitely better positioned than most communities to face Covid-19.

Mother talking to child image

In this video, Dr. Mark Cogburn, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Behavior Medicine, talks to parents about how to talk to their child about COVID-19.

 

Dr. Michelle Yetman talks about coping with anxiety during coronavirus

Dr. Yetman says, “We’re very lucky here in Shreveport – we don’t have the population density that other cities have… you can still get out, you can still walk. Exercise both for children and adults is very important for maintaining your physical health as well as your mental health.”

  

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