Donaldsonville Mayor Leroy Sullivan provides update on testing site, mask distribution

Donaldsonville Mayor Leroy Sullivan provided an update Tuesday afternoon on the city’s progress through the coronavirus crisis.

Sullivan said the coronavirus testing site at Donaldsonville Primary School opened Monday, April 27 with 214 people receiving tests. The drive-through site’s opening day was limited to first responders, medical personnel, and seniors over 65 years old.

Of the 214 people tested, 149 registered with a Donaldsonville address, he said.

The site opened Tuesday to all Louisiana residents, aged 18 and over, with a valid state identification. A total of 239 tests were administered Tuesday.

“I want to thank all of those who are part of the testing, and thank the citizens who are going out to be tested,” Sullivan said.

Due to inclement weather, the site will be closed Wednesday. It is scheduled to reopen Thursday.

The self-swab test is free of charge. No doctor’s order is required. To take a test, the patient must be in a vehicle. No pets are allowed on site.

“We want to thank Gov. John Bel Edwards, Senator Ed Price, Representative Ken Brass, Parish President Clint Cointment, the Governor’s OHSEP, Ascension OHSEP, Ascension Health Unit workers, Louisiana National Guard, Ascension Parish School Board, Bobby Webre and the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, and FEMA, as well as the countless number of volunteers assisting in this very important project,” he said.

The Mayor has been communicating with area officials through a reopening committee. The group has been examining when and how to approach resuming public activities. They have been following the guidance of the Governor, Parish President, and local officials.

“When we get direction and clarity, we will communicate the process to the public. Rest assured, we will act on what is best for the health and well-being of our citizens,” Sullivan said.

Monday evening, the City of Donaldsonville distributed donated reusable masks at the Lemann Memorial Center.

The Hanes clothing company donated the masks to the State of Louisiana. Distribution was based on 40 percent of the population of each parish. A total of 49,060 masks were distributed to area fire departments and mayors.

The Mayor received 2,000 masks, and the Fire Chief received 2,000.

“There are more than 10,000 people on the west bank of Ascension Parish, so you can see how short we were on masks, as other areas of the parish were,” Sullivan said.

To maximize the number of people served, he made the decision to separate the packs.

Ascension Parish Sheriff’s deputies, members of the Donaldsonville Fire Department, and several volunteers assisted in distributing masks Monday night.

“Everyone who came through the line, received a mask,” Sullivan said. “Thank you to the citizens of Donaldsonville and the outlying areas for understanding.”