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LAPLACE — St. John Parish President Jaclyn Hotard has been hard at work to keep the community informed of COVID-19 developments. This week, she sat down with WDSU Medical Director Dr. Corey Hébert address the public’s health-related questions.

According to the Tuesday update from the Louisiana Department of Health, there were 562 confirmed cases and 48 deaths from COVID-19 in St. John the Baptist Parish. Statewide, there were 21,518 reported cases and 1,013 deaths.

The Department of Health reports that 59.76 percent of those who died from COVID-19 also had hypertension (high blood pressure). Just under 60 percent of the fatalities in Louisiana have been African Americans.

“In my opinion, I think that this week we will see more deaths, we will see more cases, and in one month, things will be a lot better,” Hébert said.

Since the novel coronavirus is a new virus, it is difficult to make predictions on how it will impact the public in years to come. With high levels of antibodies in the blood, Hébert believes the chance of someone becoming infected with the coronavirus for a second time in one season is extremely unlikely.

The state of the virus next year is a different question all together. While coronaviruses typically don’t operate the same way as influenza, requiring a new vaccine each year, Hébert said it is simply too early to tell. He stressed that once a virus comes into the world, it remains part of the ecosystem.

“We have to learn to live with it,” Hébert said. For other viruses that have rocked the world, living with it meant developing natural immunity and vaccinations.

There are steps people can take to become more in control of their own health, starting with strengthening the immune system. Eating well is the easiest way to improve health, according to Hébert. He said recent studies have also shown the benefits of high dose Vitamin C.

“A multivitamin, although controversial, is a good thing especially now to help you feel like you’re getting some control back in your life. Also take about 1,500 mg of Vitamin C a day. I need you to drink a lot of water and decrease your alcohol intake,” Hébert said. “You need to stop smoking. That includes weed, crack, cigarettes or vaping. This disease is made to fight in your lungs. Anything you do to compromise your lungs is a problem.”

Feeling in control can help lower stress, Hébert said. That is especially important because stress compromises the immune system and makes a person more susceptible to sickness. He urges the public to not panic.

“We have a lot of smart minds that are fighting this thing,” he said.

Ultimately, Hébert recommends that everyone acts as if they are already infected, self-quarantine for 14 days, and keep a safe distance of six-to-eight feet from others even after the 14 days pass.

Hébert said health experts are working on an antibody test that can determine whether an individual is still contagious and if he or she can return to work, since it may be possible for the virus to shed past the 14-day mark. These antibody tests are not available to the public at this time.

However, there are several COVID-19 testing locations available to St. John the Baptist Parish residents experiencing fever, cough and shortness of breath.

A new testing site opened this week at the LaPlace Walmart, located at 1616 W. Airline Highway. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting, individuals 18 and older exhibiting symptoms and all healthcare providers/first responders can take a self-administered nasal swab test onsite while remaining inside their vehicles.

A trained medical volunteer will ensure the sample is taken correctly and drop the sealed sample into a container to be processed by Quest Diagnostics. Testing will NOT be done inside of the store.

To schedule an appointment, please call Quest’s dedicated COVID-19 line at 866-448-7719 Monday through Friday. Non-clinical volunteers are needed daily to help direct traffic. For more information on volunteering, please visit ramusa.org.

Testing will be available on the West Bank from 8 a.m. to noon Friday at Teche Action Clinic, located at 159 East Third St. in Edgard. Appointments are not necessary, and insurance is not required. Please call 985-497-8726 when you arrive, and someone will come to your car.

Ochsner Drive Thru Testing at 1900 W Airline Highway in LaPlace continues today and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. Appointments are not needed, but identification is required.

From 1 to 4 p.m., testing is available for St. John residents who have been evaluated by an Ochsner physician through an Ochsner virtual visit. A physician’s order will be required.

In other St. John the Baptist Parish news, this week’s Parish Council meeting has been scheduled to a video conference format to comply with the governor’s stay at home order and promote the health and safety of St. John the Baptist Parish residents.

The video conference will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow, April 16. While Parish buildings are closed, Parish Council staff can still assist members of the public who call 985-652-1702 or email council@stjohn-la.gov during regular business hours.