The state continues to see a decrease in the number of COVID cases as health officials say the Omicron variant surge is declining however the data indicates a high transmission rate still in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said the state’s positivity rate has dropped to 9.1%.
“That’s down from 14.3% this prior week. That’s down considerably from the peak of the surge which was 29% positivity and that was around the first few days of January,” said Kanter.
The state’s overall fully vaccinated rate is 52% which Kanter said needs to increase and he remains hopeful after 58,500 got their first shot last month.
“These are people who did not get any vaccine for about 11 or so months when it was available and over 134,000 people got boosted in January,” said Kanter.
Kanter said the numbers are encouraging because it shows that even though late some are realizing the value of vaccinations.
Boosting guidance has changed over the last few months, Kanter said the general public should be boosted five months after their second vaccination dose, and those who are immunocompromised three months after their second dose.
Kanter also reminded residents to use a proper face mask when indoors and outdoors at a crowded venue, especially if they have underlying health conditions. Kanter said the most effective type of face mask is an N95 that the Federal government has sent to the following locations.
“Any Winn-Dixie in the state, most Walmart’s in the state and Sam’s Club, and a decent number of Walgreens locations,” said Kanter.
If you test positive for COVID you can call the COVID-19 Community Support Hotline at 1-877-766-2130.
See below for a list of other locations to find free N95 masks:
6485 Groom Road, Baker
5450 Plank Road, Baton Rouge
5955 Airline Hwy., Baton Rouge
217 Superior Ave., Bogalusa
1401 Rees St., Breaux Bridge
101 Florida Ave. S.E., Denham Springs
920 W. Gloria Switch Road, Lafayette
718 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans
1260 Front St., Slidell
10200 Florida Blvd., Walker
5349 Cypress St., West Monroe
5061 Main St., Zachary
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