SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that has caused the current COVID-19 the wave has come on and accelerated, the pandemic, has circulated since late wave has begun to withdraw and the number 2019 and was declared a pandemic in early 2020.

‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring...

And now it is magnified by a coronavirus, the cause of a worldwide pandemic. A steady influx of patients arrives for treatment. Staff in the emergency department often feel overwhelmed. They are taxed physically and mentally. Assessing and treating patients takes more time because there is a process for nurses to protect themselves.

The COVID-19 virus has changed everyone’s world. For many, health and career have been impacted. Others have experienced the crush of change from mental, spiritual and other health concerns to caring for our children and aging parents. The last few months have been a time of personal disruption and transition.

The Emerging Viral Threat (EVT) Lab at LSU Health Shreveport was set up and fully functioning in less than two weeks to address the need for faster detection and increased testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.