The University announced Friday in a press release that starting Monday, four COVID-19 testing PODs will be available for students, faculty and staff.

Baton Rouge-based company Relief Telemed will administer these tests from Aug. 24 to Oct. 23 with medical personnel administering nasal swab tests.Test results will be available within 24 hours according to the University. While the testing is free, health insurance will be required.

The University will offer two types of tests: a rapid antigen test and a polymerase chain reaction test, which will detect the presence of the virus’ genetic material. These testing sites, along with the other two sites on campus, will allow LSU to conduct 5,000 COVID-19 tests per day.

“Our shared goal is to keep our Tiger family healthy so they can continue to learn and thrive in a safe environment,” said Vishal Vasanji, co-founder and CEO of Relief Telemed.

The four PODs are at the following on-campus locations:

• Pod I – Nicholson Drive next to the LSU Foundation Building near Matherne’s at Nicholson Gateway 
• Pod II – South Stadium Drive beside the food trucks across from Tureaud Hall and the LSU Dairy Store 
• Pod III – South Campus Drive behind Annie Boyd Hall and across from Laville Residence Halls and the French House
• Pod IV – Dalrymple Drive adjacent to the Pentagon Residence Halls between Jackson Hall and the Greek Theatre

All PODs will be operating from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday, but POD I has extended hours and will operate until 7 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, the PODs will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

The expansion in access to COVID-19 testing will play into the University’s plan to monitor COVID-19 outbreaks on-campus. The University also disclosed Wednesday the number of COVID-19 cases reported among students and faculty, which as of Friday, was 28.