Tech, National Guard begin free virus testing
Leader photo by CALEB DANIEL
Louisiana National Guardsmen help those waiting in line at the Joe Aillet Stadium parking lot self-administer COVID-19 tests Monday morning. The free testing will continue on weekdays for two weeks.
Louisiana Tech students and Ruston residents flocked to the first day of free COVID-19 testing offered by Tech, the Louisiana National Guard and both the federal and state health departments on Monday.
The drive-through and walk-up testing, located in the Joe Aillet Stadium parking lot near the Argent Pavilion, is primarily aimed at determining the extent to which asymptomatic people in the area are contracting COVID-19. It will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday this week and next week, and Tech President Les Guice said it could be extended if needed.
The Louisiana National Guardsmen facilitating the testing Monday morning said at least 75 tests had been performed within the first two hours.
Through campus updates and social media posts, Guice has encouraged all students, faculty, staff and the Ruston community at large to get tested, even if there is no definite reason to believe one may have contracted the virus.
Pre-registration is available at DoINeedaCovid19Test.com, but it is not required. It simply speeds up the testing process upon arrival.
