Louisiana officials are sounding the alarm as the state has seen a spike in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says there are three regions in particular that are very concerning, Acadiana, southwest Louisiana and central Louisiana.
“We are seeing a rate of rise that in two weeks could make us look like Texas, or Arkansas, or Mississippi. Right now we need to act,” said Billioux.
During a Thursday afternoon press conference, the state health department released these charts.
https://gov.louisiana.gov/assets/docs/covid/COVID-Gating-Data-6-18-20.pdf
Governor John Bel Edwards says these numbers should be a gut check for Louisianans to reevaluate if they have been slacking on their social distancing and mask-wearing. He says the threat has not passed.
“There is a lot of talk about a second wave coming in the fall, I guess that might happen but right now, today, we are still very much in the first wave,” says Edwards.
Since June 10th the state has reported 4,200 new positive tests when adjusting for backlogged cases from previous weeks. The state also did not report new numbers Thursday.
Billioux says 91% of the new cases are not nursing home related and most of the new cases are linked to social gatherings or households, but not to protests.
“People have to weigh the importance of expressing themselves and raising concerns about the deadly effects of racism and protecting from COVID. I think especially if these protests are done outside there is a way to do both,” says Billioux.
Billioux says the risk for transmission is low if protesters wear masks and maintain social distancing.
Edwards next COVID-19 press briefing is scheduled for Monday. He’ll announce on that day whether the state will move into Phase 3 of the reopening.
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