| Councilmembers Helena Moreno, Jason Williams and Jay H. Banks jointly announced the launch of mobile COVID-19 testing in Central City. In partnership with the city of New Orleans, NOLA Ready, the New Orleans Health Department and Ochsner, testing will take place from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 6. at the New Hope Baptist Church, 1807 Rev. John Raphael Way. “It’s impossible to get a solid scientific sense of the magnitude of the pandemic and related problems without robust testing,” said Council Vice President Jason Williams. “Until all parts of New Orleans have access, it’s impossible to figure out exactly where the virus is and where it is going, who has had it, and whether the fact that New Orleans has been an epicenter may mean that New Orleanians might reach a level of herd immunity. Many have been tested already, but we need to make sure we’re reaching everyone.” Testing will be accessible via drive-thru or walk-up each day. “Having access to testing will help make fighting this pandemic easier. Having testing easily accessible to those that are most likely to be impacted and who are less likely to be able to get to the other testing sites, just makes sense,” said District B Councilman Jay H. Banks. “Throughout every crisis New Orleans has experienced, churches have been an anchor, and served as a beacon of hope. I’m happy to partner with these churches to help us get through this crisis.” |
