![Fourth COVID-19 search led by unvaccinated individuals](https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2176/files/2021/07/baumgarten-katherine.jpg)
With nearly 5,400 new coronavirus cases reported on Wednesday and hospitalizations at their highest level since February, health officials say the fourth wave of COVID-19 is costing the state months of progress. Director of Infection Control and Prevention at Ochsner Dr. Katherine Baumgarten said 94% of the cases and 97% of the deaths are from un-vaccinated patients.
“We talk about the numbers often but I think what we need to remember is these aren’t just numbers these are people. These are people of our community, they’re family members,” Baumgarten said.
10,874 have died from COVID-related symptoms in Louisiana. The spread of misinformation online about the safety of vaccines has slowed down the rate at which they’re administered. Baumgarten said the best way to combat this phenomenon is by talking to those who are concerned individually and sharing data with them.
“People that perhaps know somebody that maybe was a little bit hesitant to get the vaccine but then ended up getting it to have those people who did undergo vaccination maybe reach out to others and talk to others about why they’re hesitant,” Baumgarten said.
In light of the new Delta variant, both the vaccinated and especially the un-vaccinated are encouraged to wear a mask indoors since the vaccine isn’t 100% effective. During his monthly radio show “Ask the Governor” Governor Edwards highlighted the importance of vaccine availability across the state.
“We need to have every doctor-patient encounter include a conversation about vaccines and then make it as easy as possible for people to be vaccinated if at that point they agree to be vaccinated,” Edwards said.
Story by Erik Piccoli
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