As of Saturday October 31, 2020, 07:30 AM
Latest Updates from Ochsner on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Ochsner is here to care for you and your family.
With new safety and screening measures in place, we are now scheduling appointments and procedures that are time-sensitive and were postponed by COVID-19.
Learn More COVID-19 Testing Locations
To schedule an appointment, contact us or schedule online using MyOchsner.
Call to Schedule Schedule Online
Ochsner Surpasses 100,000 Community COVID-19 Tests
We are proud to announce that Ochsner Health has surpassed 100,000 statewide COVID-19 community tests! As a system, we have been able to offer testing statewide from New Orleans to Lake Charles to North Louisiana. Together we:
Covered eight of the nine regions in Louisiana
Set up more than 200 testing locations
Covered 117 zip codes
Mobilized nearly 1,100 teams
Our commitment to our communities is what has made this milestone a reality.
Ochsner Health Modified Visitor Policy
Your health is our priority. Due to recent events with COVID-19, we have temporarily modified our visitor policy.
In order to protect the health of our communities, and as a safety precaution to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19, we have instituted visitor restrictions in accordance with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, some hospital access points will be consolidated on our campuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve made some recent updates to our FAQs specific to testing, travel and returning to work/school.
COVID-19 & Antibody Testing
At Ochsner, we are committed to testing and bringing clinical trials and new therapies to our community. We are currently offering COVID-19 and antibody testing.
Testing is safe and simple. Knowledge is power, so know where you stand.
Know the signs and symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) and what to do
Symptoms can be very similar to the flu or cold. If you develop these symptoms or have been in contact with someone know to have COVID-19:
Call the Ochsner COVID-19 Info Line, our free nurse care line.
COVID-19 Info Line at 1-844-888-2772
For general information, dial the Louisiana hotline, 211, or text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211.
Ways You Can Help
Ochsner Blood Bank is in urgent need of donations
While all blood types are accepted, we are experiencing a critical blood shortage of platelets and Type O red cells. All who are healthy are encouraged to donate.
Please note: The Blood Bank asks that you please postpone your donation for 28 days if you have traveled to China and its special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as Iran, Italy and South Korea, or if you’ve been diagnosed with or have had contact with anyone with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. Healthy blood donors are encouraged to donate every 8 weeks.
Ochsner Heroes
Our Ochsner Heroes on the front lines of COVID-19 love to see your messages of encouragement, videos and photos. To share yours, please post it on our Facebook page with #OchsnerHeroes, or email it to socialmedia@ochsner.org. If you share a great story about Ochsner on your own timeline, please tag @OchsnerHealth and set your post to "public" so that we can share it!
Help Support Ochsner Employees
To support the devoted staff at Ochsner during this unprecedented time please consider the Employee Assistance Fund. The wellbeing of our employees is so crucial and timely resources will be available from this fund to them as needs arise. The Employee Assistance Fund provides financial assistance for Ochsner employees directly impacted by COVID-19 and exists to provide financial grants to the employees who are our frontline workers and have put their lives on hold to protect ours and those in our communities. The Fund is used to support employees across our system during times of intense need. Your support ensures that resources are always there when our frontline employees need it most.
For supply donations, please call Ochsner’s COVID-19 supply donation hotline at 504-703-2635.
Connect With Your Provider
If you are in need of care, our team is here for you.
Stay connected to your healthcare with MyOchsner.
- Message your provider with questions 24/7
- Request prescription refills
- Check your test results
Ochsner Anywhere Care
See a provider from home with an Ochsner Anywhere Care virtual visit. Available for urgent care needs, behavioral health and mild or severe respiratory illness.
Virtual Visits through MyOchsner
For primary and specialty care appointments, your provider may be able to see you virtually in a visit through MyOchsner.
Family Connect
Video Family Connect is available to help families connect with their loved ones in an Ochsner inpatient facility.
Pharmacy Curbside Pick-up Locations
To help keep you healthy, we've added curbside pick up to many of our Ochsner Pharmacy locations. When you arrive at the pharmacy, just give us a call and we'll bring your medications out to you. Free prescription delivery now offered to your home or office within a 20-mile radius of any Ochsner pharmacy.
Urgent Care Locations
Now and always, your health is our priority.
If you are experiencing mild or severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, difficulty breathing and risk of exposure to COVID-19, our staff are available to see you at our urgent care locations.
Find an Urgent Care
Location Closures
Check our up-to-date list of Ochsner facilities that are currently closed below.
Information about Appointments and Virtual Visits
Your health and safety are very important to us.
- With new safety and screening measures in place, we are now scheduling appointments and procedures that are time-sensitive and were postponed by COVID-19. Learn more here.
- If you are experiencing mild or severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing, do not come in for your scheduled appointment. Instead, see a provider from home with an Ochsner Anywhere Care virtual visit.
- If you plan to have someone accompany you to your appointment, please know our visitor policy has changed. See the full details of our new policy here.
- For some visits, we may be able to move your appointment to a virtual visit through MyOchsner to try and limit the number of visitors to our offices. Your care team will reach out to you via your MyOchsner account if this is appropriate for your visit.
- During your virtual visit, you and your provider will meet using video on a phone, iPad, or tablet. Your provider can answer any questions you have, address your healthcare needs and adjust your medications if needed.
- What you need for a virtual visit:
- An iPhone, iPad, or Android device
- The MyChart app downloaded on your device
- Click here for a how to guide for virtual visits through MyOchsner.
- As always, hand hygiene and location cleanliness are top priorities for your care team. Our stringent cleaning protocols are followed during every visit. You will continue to find hand sanitizer and hand washing reminders throughout our locations. At every front desk, our patient registration team is following the latest guidelines and practices, and providing masks to patients to wear while on-site at all Ochsner facilities.
- We remain committed to meeting your healthcare needs. Please know that you can message your provider with questions or concerns, request prescription refills or view your past records and test results anytime using MyOchsner.
- For common illnesses and urgent care needs, you can also see a provider from home, anytime with an Ochsner Anywhere Care virtual visit.
- If you have questions about your appointment, message your provider through MyOchsner or call 1-866-624-7637.
COVID-19 Testing
Ochsner Health is offering COVID-19 testing at community sites.
Testing can help keep people healthy, stop the spread of COVID-19 and help reopen our economy.
Find a Community Testing Site
Antibody Testing
Antibody testing determines whether you had COVID-19 and now have antibodies against the virus. A healthcare professional draws your blood and your blood is tested for antibodies. If you have the antibodies, you may be immune to COVID-19.
How to Wear a Face Mask Properly
Ochsner Health is always here to keep you and your family healthy.
Ochsner Health Guidelines for Home Quarantine without Symptoms
If required to stay under home quarantine, it's important to follow these guidelines to monitor your health and to practice social distancing.
Watch the Latest
Facebook Live Q&A: Going back to school during COVID-19
Join us Friday, Sept. 25, at 3:00 p.m. for a Facebook Live Q&A with Dr. Katherine Baumgarten and Dr. William Lennarz on the Ochsner Health Facebook page. With in-person learning taking place for some children, we will discuss being back in school during COVID-19. Also, as we enter the fall season, we will answer some questions about other common viruses, such as the flu and RSV. Be sure to tune in and ask them any questions you may have!
Click here to watch the latest Q&A session on questions about the coronavirus response and Dr. Dominic Carollo's role during the pandemic.
Can COVID-19 cause strokes? Click here
Enhance Your Virtual Visit
When you combine 24/7 virtual visits with the Ochsner Anywhere Care Health Kit you get unparalleled convenience without leaving home.
This handheld device allows you to capture physical exam data to share with your provider during your visit.
