Coronavirus updates in Louisiana: 3,315 cases in state; 137 deaths reported
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RESOURCES FOR HOSPITALS INCLUDING FUNDING FOR GRANTS TO COVER UNREIMBURSED HEALTH CARE EXPENSES AND INCREASED ACCESS TO DIGITAL HEALTH CARE DELIVERY. THERE’S GOING TO BE DIRECT CHECKS FOR FAMILIES IN ADDITION. THERE WILL BE SMALL BUSINESS LOANS TO COVER DAILY OPERATIONS. INCLUDING PAYROLL AND RENT TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN. EXPANDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS I AM TRAINING DOLLARS FOR DISLOCATED WORKERS ARE INCLUDED AS WELL. WE KNOW THAT THERE’S ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR FOOD BANKS AND SNAP BENEFITS TO HELP OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS. THERE ALSO WILL BE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS TO MAKE SURE. OUR CHILDREN STILL RECEIVE MEALS WHILE THEY ARE NOT. ATTENDING SCHOOL REST ASSURED THAT ALL OF OUR STATE AGENCIES ARE COMBING THROUGH THE BILL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE IDENTIFY EVERY BIT OF FUNDING AND ASSISTANCE FLEXIBILITY THAT WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BUT LET ME JUST SAY WE’RE VERY GRATEFUL TO OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DID IN HELPING TO GET THIS IMPORTANT. BILL PASSED AS I JUST MENTIONED WHERE THE PROCESS OF STUDYING WHAT THE BILL CONTAINS FOR LOUISIANA, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT LOUISIANA IS ESTIMATED TO GET ONE POINT EIGHT BILLION DIRECT FEDERAL AID. FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WE’VE ALSO BEEN LED TO BELIEVE THAT THAT FUNDING COULD BE AVAILABLE TO US IN AS LITTLE AS 30 DAYS. OBVIOUSLY THAT WILL BE VERY HELPFUL. WE ARE ONE DAY DEEPER INTO THIS EVENT AND WHILE WE DON’T KNOW WHAT THE DURATION WILL BE WE DO KNOW THAT WE WERE DOING EVERYTHING WITHIN OUR POWER TO RESPOND TO THIS CRISIS AND WE NEED EVERYONE I IMPLORE EVERYONE TO DO THEIR PART AS WELL. UM, AND THAT MEANS STAYING HOME MINIMIZING YOUR TRAVEL. MINIMIZING YOUR SOCIAL CONTACT THE NUMBERS THAT WE REPORT TO YOU EVERY DAY SHOULD UNDERSCORE WHY SLOWING THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS IS SO IMPORTANT. AND AS OF NOON TODAY, LOUISIANA HAS REPORTED 2746 CASES OF COVID-19. NOW THAT IS 441 CASES MORE THAN YESTERDAY. THAT IS A 19 PERCENT INCREASE. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS NOW THERE’S SOME GOOD NEWS AND SOME NOT-SO-GOOD NEWS. IT’S A LOWER NUMBER FROM YESTERDAY’S INCREASE OF 510. AND YESTERDAY’S GROWTH WAS 28% AND TODAY’S WAS 19. BUT I WANT YOU ALL TO KEEP IN MIND TODAY’S INCREASE WAS ONLY FROM HALF AS MANY TESTS. SO IT’S A MIXED BAG AND WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT MEANS AND THERE’S A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE TO KNOW MUCH OF WHICH I DON’T THINK WE ACTUALLY HAVE UM RIGHT NOW BUT I’VE ASKED MY TEAM INCLUDING DR. B YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE ANALYZING THESE NUMBERS SO WE CAN GLEAN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE THE TRENDS ARE. BUT I CAN TELL YOU AS OF FAR AS WHAT? WE KNOW WE STILL REMAIN ON. THE GROWTH CURVE THAT THE TRAJECTORY THAT WE DON’T LIKE THE ONE THAT WE NEED TO FLATTEN JUST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THE OTHER NEWS THAT REALLY NO WAY TO SPIN IT OR MISINTERPRETED. WE NOW HAVE 119 DEATHS THAT’S AN INCREASE OF 36 DEATHS. SINCE OUR LAST UPDATE THIS IS THE LARGEST. INCREASE IN DEATHS YET TO BE REPORTED ON A DAILY BASIS. YESTERDAY WE HAD 18 DEATHS. YOU WILL ALSO SEE IF YOU LOOK AT THE VIDEO MONITOR HEAR THAT NEW ORLEANS HAS SURPASSED 1,000 CASES. I’D ALSO POINT OUT THAT WE NOW HAVE 200 CASES IN THE FOR MOST NORTHWESTERN PARISHES AND I POINT THAT OUT JUST SO THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS IS IN FACT SPREAD ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. WE HAVE CASES ON ALL BUT NINE OF OUR 64 PARISHES NOW. AND NOBODY SHOULD THINK THAT THEY DON’T HAVE THE VIRUS THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS OR DID THEY DON’T HAVE COVID-19 IN THEIR PARISHES? I CAN ASSURE YOU. IT’S IN EVERY PARISH IN EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS THE STATE OF LOUISIANA GETTING BACK TO THE DEATHS THAT WE HAVE REPORTED UP TO NOW A HUNDRED AND NINETEEN OF THEM. EARLY ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT CONDITIONS AMONG THOSE COVID-19 DEATHS INCLUDE DIABETES 41% KIDNEY DISEASE 31% AND OBESITY 28% LOUISIANA IS THIRD IN THE NATION. PER CAPITA FOR THE NUMBER OF CASES WE ARE SECOND. I BELIEVE PER CAPITA IN THE NUMBER OF DEATHS. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AS IT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AND IT’S IS SHOWS NO SIGNS YET OF A BAITING AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO TAKE THIS EXTREMELY. SERIOUSLY YOU’VE HEARD ME SAY IT BEFORE BUT MEDICAL SURGE. IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN TERMS OF WHAT WE AS A STATE ARE DOING THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN TERMS OF MASKING THE CITIZENS OF OUR STATE TO DO IS TO MINIMIZE THE SPREAD BY PRACTICING THE MITIGATION MEASURES THAT WE PUT IN PLACE THE SOCIAL DISTANCING THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER AND SO FORTH BUT ON THE MEDICAL SURGE PART OF THIS WE REMAIN ON THE TREND LINE THAT WE’VE BEEN ON ON FOR A FEW DAYS. AND THAT IS UNDER CURRENT MODELING THAT WE WOULD RUN OUT OF VENTILATORS SOMETIME AROUND APRIL THE 2ND OR 3RD IN REGION ONE DOWN AROUND NEW ORLEANS FOR THOSE PATIENTS WHO NEED VENTILATORS. JUST TWO PUT IN THE CONTEXT OF PEOPLE HOW HARD IT IS TO ACQUIRE NEW VENTILATORS. WE HAVE PUT IN. MANY DAYS AGO ORDERS FOR 12,000 VENTILATORS I THINK 5,000 GOES FROM THE STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE THE REMAINDER FROM PRIVATE VENDORS AND MANUFACTURERS AND TO DATE WE HAVE RECEIVED EXACTLY 192. THOSE HUNDRED AND NINETY-TWO VENTILATORS HAVE ALL BEEN ALLOCATED AND DELIVERED. WE DO EXPECT A SHIPMENT OF ANOTHER HUNDRED EARLY NEXT WEEK, BUT WE NEED SEVERAL THOUSAND VENTILATORS. WE’RE GOING TO KEEP WORKING ON THIS OBVIOUSLY. AND I WOULD REMIND EVERYBODY THAT THAT WHEN WE OVERWHELM OUR CAPACITY. OUR HOSPITALS CAPACITY TO DELIVER CARE. IT DOESN’T JUST THREATENED COVID-19 PATIENTS IT THREATENS EVERYBODY WHO MIGHT NEED. EMERGENCY OR SURGICAL? I’M SORRY EMERGENCY OR INTENSIVE CARE AT A HOSPITAL? WHETHER YOU’RE A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT OUR HARDEST HEART ATTACK VICTIM OR STROKE VICTIM OR WHATEVER. AND SO I’M ASKING EVERYONE TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR. TO LOWER THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT WE ARE ANNOUNCING EVERY DAY TO START TO FLATTEN THAT CURVE. INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. ONE PIECE OF RELATIVELY GOOD NEWS. IS THAT THE STATE OF LOUISIANA IS IN THE TOP FIVE STATES ON A PER CAPITA BASIS FOR TESTING. AND WE HAVE SEARCHED OUR TESTING. CAPACITY OUR LAB THROUGHPUT TREMENDOUSLY. I WILL NOT TELL YOU THAT WE’RE TESTING IN THE NUMBERS THAT WE WOULD LIKE. I DO ANTICIPATE THAT THE TESTING SITES THE NUMBER OF TESTS ADMINISTERED THE NUMBER OF TEST RESULTS THAT WE GET EVERY DAY WILL CONTINUE TO CLIMB AND WE NEED TO TEST ALL ACROSS LOUISIANA INCLUDING IN OUR RURAL AREAS. YESTERDAY I TALKED ABOUT HOW WE NEED ADDITIONAL MEDICAL STAFFING TODAY. I’M HAPPY TO SAY THAT DELTA AIRLINES HAS OFFERED TO FLY ANY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL VOLUNTEERS RESPONDING TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS HERE IN FOR FREE TRAVEL WILL BE BOOKED FOR PARTICIPANTS ONCE THEY HAVE REGISTERED IN BECOME CREDENTIAL THROUGH THIS WEBSITE. LAVA DOT. DHH DOT, LOUISIANA. DOUG LA VA . DHH DOT, LOUISIANA DOT-GOV AGAIN, BEFORE THEY ARRIVE THEY HAVE TO REGISTER AND BECOME CREDENTIAL THROUGH LOUISIANA’S VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION. LAVA DOT D NOT LOUISIANA DOT-GOV ONCE THEY ARE CREDENTIALED THEY WILL BE CONTACTED AND GIVEN THEIR ASSIGNMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS ON REPORTER REPORT. AND I WANT TO THANK IN ADVANCE EACH OF THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WHO VOLUNTEER TO COME COME TO LOUISIANA AND HELP WITH THIS. LOOK HEALTH EMERGENCY. ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE AND AND BY THE WAY SORT OF FRUSTRATES ME TO HAVE TO RESPOND TO RUMORS, BUT WE HAVE TO TO DO THAT ON OCCASION. I WANT TO ASSURE PEOPLE THAT WE I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO PLANS TO CLOSE ANY STATE ROADS OR BRIDGES. DEW TO COVID-19 AS ALWAYS FOR TRAFFIC INFORMATION RATHER ROUTINE ROAD CLOSURES POLICE CHECK V 1 1 L A.ORG FOR THE LATEST TRAVEL INFORMATION 5-1 1 L A.ORG FOR BUSINESS OWNERS IN ORDER TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS TO SAY LOUISIANA HAS ESTABLISHED KEY. COVID-19 RESOURCES AT LED YOU’LL FIND AN EXTENSIVE LIST OF LINKS TO RESOURCES FROM STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BY VISITING GOV DOT L. A.GOV / CORONAVIRUS. GOV DOT LA DOT-GOV / CORONAVIRUS IF YOU HAVE A NON-BUSINESS BUSINESS QUESTION OR GENERAL INQUIRY. HAVING TO DO WITH COVID-19, PLEASE. DIAL 2-1-1 CALLED TO WIN ONE. FINALLY, I MUST CONTINUE TO STRESS HOW IMPORTANT IT. IS THAT EVERYONE STAY HOME THE MEASURES THAT WE TAKE FROM A STANDPOINT THE FRONT OR FROM ESTATE STANDPOINT CAN ONLY GO SO FAR. THE SUCCESS THAT WE WILL HAVE AND SLOWING THE SPREAD WILL BE DEPENDENT UPON INDIVIDUALS ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. SO PLEASE NO UNNECESSARY TRAVEL. STAY HOME. CONTINUE TO WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY AND FOR 20 SECONDS USING SOAP AND WATER USE HAND SANITIZER. WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO SOAP AND WATER COVER YOUR COUGH PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING OF IT LISTS OF AT LEAST SIX FEET BETWEEN YOU AND SOMEONE ELSE. IF YOU HAVE TO BE OUT AND ABOUT IF WE’RE GOING TO FLATTEN THE CURVE. IF WE’RE GOING TO LESSEN THE BURDEN ON OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IF WE GOING TO SAVE LIVES. WE MUST HAVE FULL COOPERATION. AMAL LOUISIANANS AND WE HAVE TO HAVE IT NOW. BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY WE DON’T HAVE MUCH LONGER TO WAIT. APRIL THE SECOND COMING UP SOONER THAN WE WOULD LIKE. SO WITH THAT I WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS. I WILL REMIND YOU THAT AGAIN I HAVE DR. ALEX BE YOU HEAR FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO TESTING. YES, SIR. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU MIGHT AGREE WITH? AND IF SO, IS THAT JUST IN THE NEW ORLEANS AREA OR IN OTHER POCKETS OTHER SWAMPS OF THE STATE? WELL, LOOK, WE’RE NUMBER THREE IN THE COUNTRY PER CAPITA. ALL RIGHT NOW. THE THE TRAJECTORY ON RARE ON RIGHT NOW IS ONE THAT TAKES US TO A PLACE WHERE WE’RE NOT GOING TO BE CAPABLE OF DELIVERING THE HEALTH CARE THAT WILL DEMANDED OF OUR HOSPITALS. UM, SO I CONCUR WITH HIM IF WE STAY ON THIS TRAJECTORY AND YOU KNOW, IT’S NOT THAT HARD TO UNDERSTAND IT IS IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT CONCEPT TO COME THE GRASS WITH BECAUSE BECAUSE THE SITUATION IS THAT SERIOUS AND THAT DIRE. BUT I AGREE WITH HIM AND AND I WILL TELL YOU THE SURGEON GENERAL HAS MADE HIMSELF AVAILABLE. TO ME SPECIFICALLY ON THE NUMBER OF CASES AND YOU REMEMBER THAT HE WAS ACTUALLY HERE IN LOUISIANA, AND I’M GUESS IT WAS TWO WEEKS AGO YESTERDAY. SEEMS LIKE A LONG LONG TIME AGO, BUT IT WAS JUST TWO WEEKS AGO YESTERDAY. HE WAS IN THE STATE WITH US. AND SO I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT I I THINK HE’S PROBABLY RIGHT. BUT BUT WHAT WE SHOULD START TO SEE VERY SOON BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THESE MITIGATION MEASURES WORK. WE KNOW THAT SOCIAL DISTANCING WORKS TO SLOW THE SPREAD. SO WE REALLY SHOULD START SEEING THAT SHOW UP IN OUR DATA SOON, AND I’M LOOKING FOR THE DAY WHEN MY TEAM COMES TO ME AND THEY TELL ME AHA. WE SEE THAT CURVE START STARTING TO FLATTEN BUT UNTIL THEN WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT WE’RE HEADED TOWARDS NEW YORK. NOW THE WAY YOU ASK THE QUESTIONS, WE’RE NOT GOING TO GET TO THEIR NUMBERS BUT ONLY BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE THEIR POPULATION. AND THE REASON THAT’S IMPORTANT. AND THE REASON I CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THE PER CAPITA NUMBERS AS I HAVE STATED BEFORE. ANY STATE’S HEALTHCARE DELIVERY SYSTEM IS SIZED TO MEET ITS POPULATION. AND SO IF YOU HAVE THE THIRD MOST CASES PER CAPITA, THEN THAT MEANS THAT AT LEAST AT THAT TIME AND SO LONG AS YOU WERE ON THAT TRAJECTORY THAT YOU’RE VERY LIKELY TO EXCEED YOUR STATE’S CAPACITY TO DELIVER HEALTHCARE. YES, MA’AM. WITH THE CONVENTION CENTER AND WHAT’S HAPPENING THERE AND ALSO THE FIELD HOSPITALS THAT ARE PROMISED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. OKAY. SO THE THE FIELD HOSPITALS WHAT WE GOT? WE HAD REQUESTED FOR 250 BED UNITS WE WERE APPROVED FOR TO SO THESE ARE GOING TO BE 500. SO THESE ARE BASICALLY HOSPITAL COTS. I DON’T WANT TO SAY BEDS, BUT THEY’RE NOT THEY’RE NOT AN ARMY COT EITHER. THERE’S SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE WITH IV POLES AND SOME OTHER THINGS. RIGHT AND AND AND THEY ARE SEPARATE FROM STAFFING. SO WE WILL USE THOSE IN THE MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER TO SET UP A MEDICAL MONITORING FACILITY AND IT’S GOING TO BE VERY VERY HELPFUL TO US THAT FACILITY WILL IN FACT THAT THEY’RE WORKING THERE TODAY AND THEY’RE GOING TO BUILD THIS OUT AND WINGS OF A HUNDRED AND TWENTY ROOMS EACH. THEY THE CONTRACT WILL REQUIRE THAT THEY PUT UP ELEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY. UM BEDS IN THE CONVENTION CENTER. AND WE WILL THEN STAFF THAT FACILITY PRIMARILY THROUGH A STAFFING CONTRACT THAT WE ARE EXECUTING. HERE IT GOES UP. AND THEN WE HAVE WRAP-AROUND SERVICES FOR CLEANING LAUNDRY FOODSERVICE SERVICE THINGS OF THAT NATURE NOW WE DO HAVE A STRIKE TEAM COMING WHICH ARE 60 MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FROM THE US PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE. THAT WILL BE VERY VERY HELPFUL BECAUSE WE WILL USE THEM TO AUGMENT THE STAFFING THAT WE BRING IN ORDER TO DELIVER HEALTHCARE IN THE MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER AND AND WE ARE LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS AS WELL TO INCREASE OUR CAPACITY AND AND WE’RE LOOKING LOOKING AT OTHER FACILITIES AND WE’RE LOOKING AT HOTELS, I DON’T HAVE ANY NEWS TO DELIVER TO YOU AT THIS POINT. BUT THIS IS STEP DOWN CAPACITY. SO THE IDEA IS THAT WE WOULD HAVE A FACILITY TO SEND PATIENTS ONCE THEY NO LONGER NEED THAT ACUTE CABLE CARE BED OR AN ICU BED. AND ALLOW THE HOSPITALS TO FREE THAT BED UP SOONER BY HAVING A PLACE TO TRANSFER THEIR PATIENTS AND THAT’S ONE ADDITIONAL WAY THAT YOU CAN SHARE YOUR MEDICAL CAPACITY. SO THAT’S THAT’S WHAT WE ARE INTENDING TO DO WITH THE FACILITY THAT WE’RE SETTING UP. WE’RE GOING TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SOON. YOU CAN SEE I THINK IT WAS THERE. TV COVERAGE TODAY OF WHAT THEY’RE DOING IN NEW YORK THE THE CONCEPT AS I UNDERSTAND IT IS VERY VERY SIMILAR BETWEEN WHAT WE’RE TRYING TO DO HERE IN LOUISIANA AND WHAT THEY’RE DOING IN, NEW YORK. YES, SIR, BEGINNING WITH THE 1.8 BILLION. WELL, THE 1.8 BUILDING IN FUNDING WE SHOULD HAVE OVER AT SOME POINT IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS. WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT FLEXIBILITY HAND WE HAVE WITH THAT FUNDING. TO ONE DEGREE OR ANOTHER WE KNOW THAT IT’S GOING TO HAVE TO BE SPENT. ON THOSE THINGS THAT ARE RELATED TO THIS COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY. BUT JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS DOING THESE DAYS IS RELATED TO THIS EMERGENCY. SO WE ARE WE’RE STILL LOOKING AT THAT. I CAN ONLY TELL YOU THAT THAT VERY THANKFUL. TO BE GETTING THAT BECAUSE RIGHT NOW EVEN IF WE AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAYING 75 PERCENT. OF THE COST OF THINGS THAT WE’RE DOING HERE, IT GOES UP AND ACROSS THE RELATED TO COVID-19. BUT THAT’S STILL 25% THAT WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH. AND SO THIS WILL BE VERY HELPFUL IN THAT REGARD AND I WILL TELL YOU THE DEGREE TO WHICH LAW ENFORCEMENT BENEFITS THROUGH THE THE ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION OF MONEY GOING TO THROUGH THE BYRNE GRANT PROGRAM. FOR EXAMPLE, THAT’S GOING TO BE HELPFUL THE MONEY THAT DIRECTLY TO OUR HOSPITALS. IT’S GOING TO BE HELPFUL AS WELL. WE JUST IT’S TOO EARLY FOR ME TO TELL YOU RIGHT NOW EXACTLY HOW HAT MONEY WILL BE SPENT ONLY TELL YOU THAT IT’S GOING TO BE VERY VERY HELPFUL AND THE MORE FLEXIBILITY THAT WE FIND AS WE STUDY THIS BILL AND AS IT GETS INTERPRETED BY THE FEDERAL AGENCIES ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM THE BETTER OFF WE’RE GOING TO BE YES, SIR QUESTIONS FOR DR. DO YOU ACTUALLY 69 OF THE FOLKS WHO HAVE PASSED SO FAR FROM COVID-19 WHERE I WAS A DIABETIC OR OBESE? PRETTY COMMON HEALTH CONDITIONS IN LOUISIANA TO WHAT DEGREE SHOULD THE AVERAGE DIABETIC OR THE AVERAGE PERSON WHO IS OVERWEIGHT BE CONCERNED BY THOSE NUMBERS? WHAT I MEAN, I THINK THAT IN GENERAL, IT’S A CAUSE OF CONCERN FOR OUR POPULATION. YOU’VE BEEN HEARING A PRETTY CONSISTENT MESSAGE FROM US THAT EVERYBODY HAS REASON TO BE CONCERNED AND TO TAKE ACTIONS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND FAMILIES FROM COVID-19. WE UNFORTUNATELY ANNOUNCED TO DEATH IN A 17 YEAR OLD YESTERDAY. I MEAN, WE KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE ARE AT THE HIGHEST RISK OF THE PEOPLE IN THE OLDER AGE GROUP. BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT PEOPLE WITH CONDITIONS LIKE AS YOU’RE SEEING DIABETES KIDNEY DISEASE DIET AND OBESITY ARE ALSO AT REALLY HIGH RISK FOR BAD OUTCOMES. AND SO TO THE EXTENT THAT WE’RE YOU’RE SOMEBODY THAT HAS THOSE CONDITIONS WE WANT YOU TO TAKE THOSE STEPS TO REALLY STAY AT HOME HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE DO THE SHOPPING FOR YOU LIMIT YOUR EXPOSURE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY ALL THOSE THINGS. WE’VE BEEN SAYING, BUT EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT IN THOSE GROUPS, WE WANT YOU TO DO ALL THOSE THINGS FOR THE LOVED ONES AROUND YOU THAT WE KNOW HAVE THOSE CONDITIONS. WE YOU KNOW, WE WANT NOT ONLY TO NOT SEE AS MANY HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS. WE WANT TO SEE THE RATE OF DEATH DECREASES. WELL IN THE STATE THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO THAT IS BY TAKING THESE MEASURES SERIOUSLY AND THINKING NOT ONLY ABOUT OUR RISK, BUT THE RISK TO OUR FAMILY AND THE ROAST OUR NEIGHBORS AS YOU’VE HEARD THE GOVERNOR SAY JUST AS A FOLLOW-UP. WE’RE THOSE WERE THOSE 69 PEOPLE WHERE THEY LIKE EXTREMELY DIABETIC EXTREMELY OVERWEIGHT. DO WE KNOW THE DEGREE OF THAT? SO I DON’T KNOW THE SPECIFICS OF EACH ONE OF THOSE CASES, BUT I’LL SAY IS I DON’T THINK THAT THEY’RE NECESSARILY SEEING JUST EXTREME. I THINK THERE’S THERE’S REASON FOR EVERYBODY WITH THOSE CONDITIONS TO TO OBVIOUSLY ALWAYS TAKE CONTROL AND AND AND HAVE THE OPTIMAL HEALTH THEY CAN BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY RIGHT NOW TO REALLY TRY TO LIMIT ACCESS TO PEOPLE ARE SICK AND EXPOSURE. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHY THERE ARE FEW OR NO CONFIRMED CASES IN SOME OF THE RURAL PARISHES THOSE SEEM LIKE THE PARISHES THAT ARE LEFT. IS THAT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF PREVALENCE OF TESTING OR IS THAT SOMETHING SPECIFIC TO THE ISOLATION OF THE PARISH? NO. NO, I THINK AT THIS POINT. IT’S LARGELY A FUNCTION OF TESTING AS WE’VE SEEN MORE HIGH-VOLUME TESTING SITES WHETHER THEY’RE DONE BY MUNICIPALITY AS WE SAW IN LAFAYETTE, OR THEY’RE DONE BY HOSPITAL SYSTEMS. HAVE YOU SEEN ABOUT IT’S TO THE STATE WE START TO SEE NOT ONLY THE PLACES WHERE THOSE THE PARISHES WERE THOSE TEST SITES GO UP, BUT ALSO THE FEEDING PARISHES AROUND THEM GO UP. AND SO I THINK WHERE WE SEE THAT THERE’S ZERO CASES STILL WE’RE CONCERNED. WE’RE NOT SEEING PEOPLE GETTING TESTED ADEQUATELY THERE AND I THINK THAT’S THE CASE THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THANK YOU. DR. BEEF ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YES, MA’AM. WHO COME IN FROM LOUISIANA NOT JUST US BUT THE WHOLE STATE AND HE’S TALKING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PERHAPS SETTING UP SOME SORT OF CHECK POINTS TO GET INTO THE STATE FOR DRIVERS. HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THAT? AND WHAT DO YOU THINK GLOBALLY ABOUT? GOVERNOR’S LIKE IN TEXAS AND FLORIDA CREATING THESE RESTRICTIONS ABOUT DEALING WITH PEOPLE FROM OUR STATE. WELL, FIRST OF ALL SHOULDN’T AGREED THAT WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND SAYING UNDERSCORES WHAT I’M SAYING, AND THAT IS PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY THAT WE HAVE A ISSUE HERE IN LOUISIANA WITH THE CASE COUNT AND THEIR TRAJECTORY THAT WERE ON IN TERMS OF CASE GROWTH. I THINK THAT THAT AS HELPFUL, I AM ENCOURAGING PEOPLE FROM LOUISIANA TO STAY HOME. SO I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE ROAD GOING INTO TEXAS OR GOING IN TO FLORIDA. SO, YOU KNOW, I’VE GOT MY HANDS FULL HERE WITH RESPONDING TO THIS CRISIS, AND I’M NOT GOING TO SECOND-GUESS OR CRITICIZE WHAT OTHER GOVERNORS ARE DOING OR NOT DOING. YES, SIR FROM THE CDC BEFORE MARDI GRAS OF THE INDICATE EITHER. IT SHOULDN’T GO AHEAD. I CAN TELL YOU I DID NOT DR. B WORKS AT THE ED LDH HE DID NOT IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN AT THE TIME OF FAT TUESDAY, THERE WERE AROUND 15 CASES IN THE COUNTRY ALL OF WHOM WERE EITHER TIED TO DIRECT RIVAL OR INDIRECT TRAVEL MEANING THEY HAD COME INTO THE COUNTRY FROM ONE OF THE HOTSPOTS PRINCIPALLY CHINA OR THEY WERE IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO HAD AND SO THERE WAS NEVER ANY SUGGESTION BY ANYONE. AND LOOK, I THINK IT’S INTERESTING TO CONSIDER AND I KNOW THAT THERE. THERE ARE WORKING THEORIES THAT THE ONE AND A HALF MILLION PEOPLE WHO WHO PARTICIPATED IN MARDI GRAS AND TRAVELED AND SO FORTH LIKELY SEATED THE VIRUS. I HAPPEN TO THINK THAT THAT’S PROBABLY CORRECT. BUT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW IT GOT HERE RIGHT NOW ISN’T AS IMPORTANT AS MAKING SURE WE’RE DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO MINIMIZE THE SPREAD AND APPROPRIATELY RESPOND BY SURGING OUR MEDICAL CAPACITY. AND SO I DON’T WANT TO TAKE TIME AND ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE TASK AT HAND IN ORDER TO DISCUSS. WHAT IS IT? PRESENT A THEORY, AND I’M SURE THAT SOME STUDENT IS GOING TO GET A DOCTORAL DEGREE ONE DAY BY DOING A DISSERTATION ON THIS. YES, MA’AM WORKERS AT LEAST TO STATE PRISONS HAVE CONTRACTED THE VIRUS. WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN PARTICULAR IN THE PRISON POPULATIONS TO MAKE SURE I HAVE THEY’RE OBVIOUSLY VERY TIGHTLY CONGESTED. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT YOU COULD LIMIT THE SPREAD THEIR WELL AS OF THIS MORNING WITH THE UC G MEETING, WE HAD VIA CONFERENCE CALL. THERE ARE NO POSITIVE CASES IN OUR STATE PRISONS IN OF INMATES INMATES, BUT NOT THERE. CORRECT. AND SO I NEED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT. SECONDLY, WE WERE AMONG THE VERY FIRST STATES IN THE NATION IF NOT THE FIRST TO DISCONTINUE VISITATION, NOT JUST THAT OUR PRISONS BUT ALSO IN OUR JAILS. AND THEN WITH HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, FOR EXAMPLE. WE KNOW THAT PPE IS GOING TO THE PRESENT SO THAT THEY CAN CARE FOR INMATES. WE KNOW THAT THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING SCREENED FOR HEALTH TO SEE IF THEY HAVE SYMPTOMS SUCH AS THE FEVER AND SO FORTH AS THEY COME IN TO GO TO WORK AND IF THEY HAVE A FEVER THEY’RE NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO WORK. THEY ARE PAYING PARTICULAR CARE TO THOSE INMATES WHO WERE IN THOSE MOST VULNERABLE CATEGORIES OUT OF BECAUSE OF AGE OF CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITION OR BOTH AND AND SO I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WE’RE DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE IN OUR CUSTODY AT OUR STATE’S PRISONS. IT IS A IT IS A CHALLENGE JUST LIKE IT’S A CHALLENGE FOR EVERYBODY ACROSS THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, BUT I’M CONFIDENT THAT THE WORK THAT SECRETARY OF LAW AND TEAM’S DOING IS THAT IS REALLY COMMENSURATE WITH WITH
Coronavirus updates in Louisiana: 3,315 cases in state; 137 deaths reported
3,315 cases in Louisiana137 people have died56 parishes with reported casesMore than 1,000 cases in New OrleansStay-at-home order in effect across LouisianaLouisiana is in its first weekend of observing a stay-at-home order that was issued to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Cases of the coronavirus have surpassed the 3,000 mark in the Bayou State.According to the Louisiana Department of Health, there are now more than 3,300 coronavirus cases in the state as of the latest update Saturday. The LDH reported 569 new cases since Friday, and 18 additional deaths, bringing the number of reported deaths to 137.In comparison to Louisiana’s 3,300 cases, neighboring Texas reported more than 1,700 cases Friday, while neighboring Mississippi reported 663 cases Saturday morning.Deaths from COVID-19 in Louisiana surged by more than 40% in a single day this week. State health officials reported Saturday that 137 people have died since the outbreak moved into Louisiana. Most of the Louisianians who have died lived in New Orleans, a hot spot for COVID-19 in the state. There, 70 people have died.Deaths have also been reported in Jefferson, East Baton Rouge, St. John the Baptist, Lafourche and St. Charles parishes.New Orleans now has 1,298 coronavirus cases, as of the latest update Saturday. Health officials in the Crescent City have been stressing the importance of social distancing in a city that’s known for its large gatherings and festivities.Bars and clubs are shut down across the city, most apparent in the French Quarter. The popular tourist destination now looks more like a ghost town, as the city tries to get hold of the coronavirus outbreak.Residents have been told to remain at home, only to go outside for some fresh air. City leaders issued their own stay-at-home order for New Orleans days before Gov. John Bel Edwards handed down the order for the entire state.Restaurants are either serving take-out or delivery, or have shut down altogether.It was only two weeks ago that most coronavirus cases centered in New Orleans metro. Neighboring Jefferson Parish now has more than 500 COVID-19 cases. Other parts of the state are now seeing increases in coronavirus cases, including East Baton Rouge and Caddo parishes.Louisiana’s 56 of its 64 parishes are now reporting coronavirus cases.State health officials said more than 900 people remain in the hospital. Of the people in the hospital, 336 are on ventilators.Gov. Edwards said this week that Louisiana has the third-highest rate of virus cases per capita and the second-highest death rate per capita, with the New Orleans region on track to run out of ventilators to care for the hardest-hit patients by the first week of April.Although most people recover and many suffer only mild symptoms, COVID-19 can cause serious illness including respiratory problems for some, including the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. The disease is highly contagious.”This is going to be the disaster that defines our generation,” said Collin Arnold, director of the New Orleans’ Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.President Donald Trump has agreed to set up two federal field hospitals in Louisiana and send down public health staff to help with the worsening outbreak. Edwards detailed a plan in the works to use the New Orleans Convention Center as an overflow site for COVID-19 patients in the region. The first phase of the convention center plan, which is in the process of being finalized through contracts, will include 1,120 hospital beds.New Orleans and Louisiana share a similar story that’s developing across the nation.In the U.S., there are at least 104,800 cases across all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington D.C., according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.At least 1,711 people have died in the U.S., according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.Trump on Friday signed the $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package just hours after it passed a voice vote in the House of Representatives.The far-reaching legislation stands as the largest emergency aid package in U.S. history. It injects a massive financial boost into a struggling economy with provisions aimed at helping American workers, small businesses and industries grappling with the economic disruption.Click here for the latest local and national coronavirus updates.15 Days to Slow the Spread: CLICK HERE to read the CDC guidelines on coronavirusNews you can use:In need of hand sanitizer? Here’s how to make your ownIs it allergies, the flu or the coronavirus? How to tell the differenceHere’s how to safely exercise outside during the coronavirus outbreakProductive and entertaining activities you can do from inside your homeA guide to keeping your child safe and reassured as coronavirus spreadsHow to manage OCD and anxiety amid the coronavirusHow to clean your car for coronavirusCoronavirus: 4 ways to care for dry hands during regular washingHow to work from home without losing your sanityHow to stop touching your face all the time, according to expertsHow to properly clean your keyboard, which is one of the germiest places you touch dailyW2lmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vZDJjbXZicTdzeHgzM2ouY2xvdWRmcm9udC5uZXQvZW1haWwvcHJvZF9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1c19pZnJhbWVfYXJ0aWNsZS5odG1sIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjQxNCIgc3R5bGU9IndpZHRoOjEwMCU7Ym9yZGVyOm5vbmU7b3ZlcmZsb3c6aGlkZGVuIiBzY3JvbGxpbmc9Im5vIiBmcmFtZWJvcmRlcj0iMCIgYWxsb3dUcmFuc3BhcmVuY3k9InRydWUiXVsvaWZyYW1lXe+7vw==
NEW ORLEANS —3,315 cases in Louisiana137 people have died56 parishes with reported casesMore than 1,000 cases in New OrleansStay-at-home order in effect across LouisianaLouisiana is in its first weekend of observing a stay-at-home order that was issued to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Cases of the coronavirus have surpassed the 3,000 mark in the Bayou State.
I implore Louisianans to think before leaving the house this weekend. Think about the healthcare workers or your family members & neighbors who are elderly or have underlying medical conditions.Do your part. Stay home. Stop the spread. Save lives. #lagov #lalege #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/JZUR1ImYgH— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) March 28, 2020
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, there are now more than 3,300 coronavirus cases in the state as of the latest update Saturday. The LDH reported 569 new cases since Friday, and 18 additional deaths, bringing the number of reported deaths to 137.
In comparison to Louisiana’s 3,300 cases, neighboring Texas reported more than 1,700 cases Friday, while neighboring Mississippi reported 663 cases Saturday morning.Deaths from COVID-19 in Louisiana surged by more than 40% in a single day this week. State health officials reported Saturday that 137 people have died since the outbreak moved into Louisiana. Most of the Louisianians who have died lived in New Orleans, a hot spot for COVID-19 in the state. There, 70 people have died.Deaths have also been reported in Jefferson, East Baton Rouge, St. John the Baptist, Lafourche and St. Charles parishes.New Orleans now has 1,298 coronavirus cases, as of the latest update Saturday. Health officials in the Crescent City have been stressing the importance of social distancing in a city that’s known for its large gatherings and festivities.
How can members of the public/employees report violations ofthe social distancing rules?Call 3-1-1 to report violations.Reports of any violations of the “Stay at Home” order, including these mandates for essential businesses, will be strictly enforced. https://t.co/2iY1VZzedn pic.twitter.com/OuxoPsBpAp— Mayor LaToya Cantrell (@mayorcantrell) March 28, 2020
Bars and clubs are shut down across the city, most apparent in the French Quarter. The popular tourist destination now looks more like a ghost town, as the city tries to get hold of the coronavirus outbreak.Residents have been told to remain at home, only to go outside for some fresh air. City leaders issued their own stay-at-home order for New Orleans days before Gov. John Bel Edwards handed down the order for the entire state.
Restaurants are either serving take-out or delivery, or have shut down altogether.It was only two weeks ago that most coronavirus cases centered in
New Orleans metro. Neighboring Jefferson Parish now has more than 500 COVID-19 cases. Other parts of the state are now seeing increases in coronavirus cases, including East Baton Rouge and Caddo parishes.Louisiana’s 56 of its 64 parishes are now reporting coronavirus cases.
State health officials said more than 900 people remain in the hospital. Of the people in the hospital, 336 are on ventilators.Gov. Edwards said this week that Louisiana has the third-highest rate of virus cases per capita and the second-highest death rate per capita, with the New Orleans region on track to run out of ventilators to care for the hardest-hit patients by the first week of April.
Although most people recover and many suffer only mild symptoms, COVID-19 can cause serious illness including respiratory problems for some, including the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. The disease is highly contagious.”This is going to be the disaster that defines our generation,” said Collin Arnold, director of the New Orleans’ Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.President Donald Trump has agreed to set up two federal field hospitals in Louisiana and send down public health staff to help with the worsening outbreak. Edwards detailed a plan in the works to use the New Orleans Convention Center as an overflow site for COVID-19 patients in the region. The first phase of the convention center plan, which is in the process of being finalized through contracts, will include 1,120 hospital beds.
New Orleans and Louisiana share a similar story that’s developing across the nation.In the U.S., there are at least 104,800 cases across all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington D.C., according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.At least 1,711 people have died in the U.S., according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.Trump on Friday signed the $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package just hours after it passed a voice vote in the House of Representatives.
The far-reaching legislation stands as the largest emergency aid package in U.S. history. It injects a massive financial boost into a struggling economy with provisions aimed at helping American workers, small businesses and industries grappling with the economic disruption.Click here for the latest local and national coronavirus updates.15 Days to Slow the Spread: CLICK HERE to read the CDC guidelines on coronavirusNews you can use:In need of hand sanitizer? Here’s how to make your ownIs it allergies, the flu or the coronavirus? How to tell the differenceHere’s how to safely exercise outside during the coronavirus outbreakProductive and entertaining activities you can do from inside your homeA guide to keeping your child safe and reassured as coronavirus spreadsHow to manage OCD and anxiety amid the coronavirusHow to clean your car for coronavirusCoronavirus: 4 ways to care for dry hands during regular washingHow to work from home without losing your sanityHow to stop touching your face all the time, according to expertsHow to properly clean your keyboard, which is one of the germiest places you touch daily
