Louisiana reported fewer than 400 COVID-19 hospitalizations Friday, the first time since late March.
State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said we’re seeing historic lows in nearly all COVID-related categories right now.
“We have the lowest percent positivity right now of 2.9 percent and this past week we have had the lowest number of new COVID cases identified in nursing home residents to date,” said Kanter.
Kanter said this is evidence that we are doing a good job of stopping the spread, a good job of using mitigation measures, and proof the vaccine strategy is working.
“As we have driven vaccine first and foremost to the most vulnerable people we have seen a commiserate reduction in hospitalizations,” said Kanter.
987,000 Louisianans have now received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine and 568,000 have completed their full series.
Kanter said the one area of the state he is worried about is Lake Charles. He says they’ve been seeing an increase in cases for about two weeks. He attributed the rise in cases to the fact that Lake Charles has the highest concentration of the UK variant. The Calcasieu Parish positivity rate sits at 8.1 percent per the most recent update.
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