NEWS RELEASE

JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA

December 29, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JEFFERSON PARISH ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL COVID-19 TESTING DATES FOR THIS WEEK

Johnny Bright Playground to remain open through New Year’s Day,
Alario Center to remain open on Thursday, Dec. 30 and Friday, Dec. 31

JEFFERSON, LA - Due to the current high demand, Jefferson Parish will continue testing at Johnny Bright Playground and the Alario Center this week and will not close for the holiday as previously planned.

Drive-thru testing at Johnny Bright Playground (3401 Cleary Ave. Metairie 70002) will remain open for all ages on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021 – Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. To pre-register or view results, visit www.accuref.us. Please note, the turnaround time for test results for this site is approximately 2-3 days. Until further notice, testing at the Bonnabel Boat Launch site will be closed.

Drive-thru testing for ages five and older at the Alario Center (2000 Segnette Blvd. Westwego 70094) will be open on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. This site is operated by the Louisiana National Guard and Quest Diagnostics; no pre-registration is required for this site. The site will close on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 in observance of New Years; however, it will reopen on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.

While it is imperative to get tested for COVID-19, local emergency rooms are experiencing an influx of individuals seeking COVID tests, putting a tremendous strain on healthcare workers and resources. Those who were exposed to someone with COVID should remain isolated to avoid possible spread and monitor symptoms until able to visit a testing site or available physician. It is crucial that emergency rooms remain available for those who are severely sick or have an immediate emergency.

Everyone five and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Louisiana (Pfizer is the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for people ages 5-17). All COVID-19 vaccines are free and individuals do not need to provide identification or health insurance information to get vaccinated. The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have received emergency use authorization from the FDA. They are safe and effective at preventing illness from COVID-19. The Pfizer vaccine has received full FDA approval over the age of 16 and older.

Booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine are available to adults at increased risk, following new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Any individual over 16 who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at least 6 months ago or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months ago is eligible for a booster. The CDC has approved individuals to receive any booster they choose no matter which vaccine they initially received. Individuals ages 16-17 are only eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine and booster. For more information about these vaccines, please visit Different COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC.

Visit COVID.JeffParish.net to stay updated on COVID-19 in Jefferson Parish, including available resources, weekly testing/vaccine sites, local dashboard and more. To find a vaccination site, schedule a homebound vaccination, or for local questions about the vaccine, individuals can also call the Jefferson Parish COVID-19 Hotline at 504-518-4020.

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) or by texting JPALERT or JPNOTICIAS to 888-777.

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Jefferson Parish Public Information Office 1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Suite 1002 Jefferson, LA 70123

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Gretchen Hirt Gendron, PIO