Baton Rouge, La. — December 30, 2021 — Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases statewide, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced the opening of additional community testing centers as part of her coordinated effort with area healthcare providers to alleviate some of the pressure on area emergency rooms and healthcare facilities. It is extremely important that residents heed the recommendations from local officials as the CDC has classified East Baton Rouge Parish as a community of high COVID-19 transmission and strongly recommends that everyone wear a mask in indoor public places. 

Mayor Broome urges the citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish to practice COVID-19 safety precautions during this holiday season. She states, “I encourage residents to help prevent the spread of the virus, and especially the Omicron variant, by taking the following precautions to keep our community safe:" 

• Use COVID-19 safety precautions during your holiday gatherings and activities, such as wearing a face covering, practicing social distancing, and avoid gathering indoors. 
• Get your COVID-19 vaccine. Visit brla.gov/covid for vaccine locations near you. 
• Wear a face covering in all public places, practice social distancing, and practice personal hygiene by washing your hands. 
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care. 
• Unless it is a life-threatening emergency, do not go to the emergency room. 
• If you think you have COVID-19, go get tested. Visit brla.gov/covid for the most up-to-date testing locations near you. 
• Follow the latest CDC guidance on isolation and quarantining. 

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should stay home for 5 days. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you may leave your home, but continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. For more information visit cdc.gov.