Throughout June 16-17, 2020, the Louisiana Army National Guard assisted the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana in hosting a free COVID-19 Mobile Testing Site outside of the Coushatta Tribal Health Department. The Coushatta Tribe Department of Health, Tribal Fire Department and the Coushatta Family Center, with the support of the Louisiana Army National Guard, administered over 200 COVID-19 tests to the employees of essential tribal departments which have been open or are in the process of reopening. The remainder of the Coushatta Tribe’s 233 employees will be tested next week.
Tribal Chairman David Sickey stated that “as we transition into this partial reopening period, it’s imperative we continue to do all we can to best protect the employees of the tribe as well as the entire community which those employees serve. We are learning there is little room for risk or speculation with COVID-19, especially within vulnerable Native American Tribes where the mortality rates are far higher than in any other groups. We’re grateful to the Louisiana Army National Guard for helping us address this critical need.”
Dr. Lacey Cavanaugh, the Office of Public Health regional medical director for the five-parish southwest Louisiana region, said, “The partnership between the National Guard, the Office of Public Health, as well as local and tribal governments has increased the ability of residents to get tested for COVID-19. Over the past several weeks, we have been working to make it as easy and convenient as possible for local residents to get a test.”
The health and safety of all Coushatta guests, associates, and tribal members remains a top priority within the Coushatta Tribe. With the continued concern for the spread of the virus, social distancing and other recommended protocols will be strictly enforced within all operations and departments.
The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana will continue to provide updates as needed and notify the public with any further developments. Information related to COVID-19 spread and containment will be monitored as it becomes available through federal, state, and local entities and other organizations.
