Today’s COVID numbers for Louisiana are startling, 3,500 the highest the state has seen since the start of the pandemic in March. Governor John Bel Edwards says they show an alarming trend two weeks after Halloween and the House Petition to overturn coronavirus restrictions in the state.
“And you’re seeing things across the country, the numbers, the surges are actually worse than they were in the spring, worse than they were in the summer,” said Edwards.
News of a 90-percent effectiveness rate on a vaccine was released earlier this week, but the vaccine has yet to be approved and distributed. Edwards says it will be sometime before the vaccine can make a difference.
“But in a best-case scenario, we’re sometime next summer before we can administer enough vaccine to the people of Louisiana to really make a difference. So, we have to be patient, we have to be diligent. We have to follow the science and the recommendations,” said Edwards.
Edwards implored Louisianans to take precautions and to wear face masks. The CDC released a report this week that face masks also benefit the wearer. While Edwards is optimistic about the pandemic next summer and a vaccine, the present situation is dire.
“But for the immediate future, it’s going to get really, really tough. So, I need y’all with me for the benefit of the people of Louisiana,” said Edwards.
Governor Edwards will be holding a press conference at 3 pm today and LDH will unveil a new COVID dashboard.
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