COVID-19 cases are increasing with 479 positive tests statewide and now 12 deaths. One of the new victims was a 38 year old from Catahoula Parish, who authorities say had an underlying medical condition.

The President authorizes the Defense Production Act to ramp up production of critical personal protective gear and respirators as the state works to secure those resources locally. Governor Edwards says the state has enough space to house COVID cases, but before you get equipment, you need doctors and nurses to use it…

Cut 9 (12) “…capacity″

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office has charged 27-year-old Allen Bailey of Forest Hill with terrorism after the young man shared a facebook post saying JUST IN: RAPIDES PARISH SHERIFFS OFFICE HAVE ISSUED THE ORDER, IF DEPUTIES COME INTO CONTACT WITH “THE INFECTED’ SHOOT ON SIGHT.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has dipped to about $1.95, a devastating blow to the state budget. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says he sees many parallels in the economy between now and immediately following 9/11.

Cut 8 (08) “…we are, economically.”

The price has fallen by a dime since last week.

Food banks across the nation are seeing a surge in those seeking assistance with the COVID-19 outbreak’s effect on the economy. Second Harvest Food Bank Communications Director Jay Vise (Vice) reassured those in need that as Americans we will get through the crisis and wants to encourage all of us to work together. Vise says if you can’t donate financially to a local food bank reach out and offer your time.

Cut 14 (08) “…each other.”

Second harvest serves 23 Parishes in the state including the greater New Orleans area and Lafayette.

REVISED UPDATED NUMBER OF DEATHS

The state is reporting now reporting 12 deaths from the coronavirus, up from 10 and 479 cases.

Governor Edwards says projections showing New Orleans area hospitals capacity being topped in the next week to 10 days a “worst-case scenario.” In addition to seeking personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, Edwards says they’re also looking to move respirators in surgical centers that perform elective surgeries, into frontline hospitals.

Cut 11 (10) “…state.”

A lack of respirators is reported at the heart of many of the COVID-19 deaths in Italy.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has dipped to about $1.95.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the forecast is for the price to drop to lows not seen in nearly twenty years.  Those low prices came as a result of 9/11.

Cut 7 (07) “…heading pretty soon.”

Second Harvest a food bank that serves 23 Parishes across the state is seeing a huge demand for services. Communications Director Jay Vise says this situation is different from a hurricane because grocery stores are still open right now but, there are many people including seniors and those with compromised immune systems in which it’s dangerous for them to go to the grocery stores.

Cut 13 (08) “…dire soon”

Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says the department has been engulfed with unemployment assistance claims as many people have lost work due to COVID-19. Some are experiencing issues in trying to file claims and Dejoie recommends trying to do so in off-peak hours.

Cut 5 (08)  “…the system down.”

The website is LAworks.net that’s LAworks.net

The state is reporting 479 cases and 10 deaths

The Governor called the model showing the New Orleans area capacity being topped in 7-10 days a “worst-case scenario”. Edwards is asking all companies with a stockpile of N95 masks to call the Department of Economic Development and be generous in donating them…

Cut 10 (11) “…settings”

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has dipped to about $1.95.  COVID-19 economic impacts, as well as overproduction between OPEC and Russia, are two main factors.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says this isn’t the normal season for savings at the pump.

Cut 6 (08) “…were at $2.13”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has been inundated with unemployment assistance claims.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The Federal government has pushed the tax deadline to July 15, no word on state taxes yet. The state is offering free counseling services via the Keeping Calm through Covid Hotline at 1-888-310-7977.

For additional state resources text 898-211 that’s 898-211

The state is reporting 479 coronavirus cases and 10 deaths, the majority are in the New Orleans area of the state. The Federal government has pushed the tax deadline to July 15, no word on state taxes yet.

The state is working overtime to secure enough face masks for hospital workers, and respirators for potential patients ahead of what may be a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says the department has been inundated with unemployment assistance claims as many people have lost work due to COVID-19. The first checks are anticipated to be sent out next week. Dejoie says staffing of the department has been shifted from other divisions to help process the claims.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…appreciate your patience.”

The maximum unemployment benefit is $247 per week.

Food banks across the nation are seeing a surge in those seeking assistance with the COVID-19 outbreak’s effect on the economy. Second Harvest serves 23 Parishes in the state including the greater New Orleans area and Lafayette,  Communications Director Jay Vise (Vice) says they are no different.

Cut 12 (08) “…showing up”

For Covid-19 resources in the state text 898-211

As of the morning, the state is reporting 479 coronavirus cases and 10 deaths, the majority are in the New Orleans area of the state.

The state is scrambling to secure enough medical equipment and healthcare workers to take on a possible surge of COVID-19 cases that could overwhelm the New Orleans medical system within a week. Governor Edwards says the state has enough space to house COVID-19 cases, and…

Cut 9 (12) “…capacity″

The Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says the department has been inundated with unemployment assistance claims as many people have lost work due to the virus.  Dejoie says as of noon on Thursday, the department had received 30,000 new claims this week.

Cut 3 (08)  “…call claim volume.”  

The Louisiana Department of Health is offering free counseling for anyone experiencing stress or anxiety from the COVID-19 outbreak. Medical Director for the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health Dr. James Hussey says the line is free and confidential and the option of phone counseling helps decrease the chances of the physical spread of the virus.

Cut 6 (12) “…good information.”

You can call the Keeping Calm Through COVID hotline at 1-866-310-7977

Three state parks are being used to house people who are awaiting their coronavirus test results.  Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says all the food and supplies to those at state parks will be furnished by officials.

Cut 15 (08) “…to do that.”

The number of coronavirus cases shot up to 479 in Louisiana today. That’s up from 392 yesterday. Orleans Parish has 299, Jefferson has 90, Caddo 13 and St. Tammany 10. The state health department says a reported death at a St. Tammany parish hospital is a Mississippi resident. The number of Louisiana patients who have died is ten.

Governor John Bel Edwards warns Louisiana’s healthcare system could be overwhelmed within the next seven to ten days by COVID-19 cases without federal assistance. Edwards says the state’s trajectory of case growth is on the same path as Italy.
Cut 10 (10) “making that.”
Edwards is concerned about not having enough health care workers, hospital beds and ventilators.

The state Office of Behavioral Health has set up a hotline for residents who are dealing with high stress and anxiety levels as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Keeping Calm Through COVID hotline is 1-866-310-7977. Medical Director for the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health Doctor James Hussey says while we are all on alert for symptoms of the coronavirus, undue stress can also cause physical symptoms that many do not realize are side effects of anxiety…
cut 5 (12) “….if you will”

Stress levels are rising for crawfish farmers, who are seeing slow sales as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Vermilion Parish farmer Christian Richard urges people to buy crawfish…
cut 8 (10) “…to accommodate you”

In about ten days Louisiana has gone from zero known cases of coronavirus to about 400, with the New Orleans area being the largest hot spot. Governor John Bel Edwards says under a worst-case scenario the state’s health care system in southeast Louisiana will be overwhelmed. He says there’s a need for more medical staff, ventilators, masks and hospital beds. Edwards says they’ve asked for help, but…
cut 11 (10) “…country”
New Orleans now rivals Seattle in per capita cases of COVID-19.

Saints Coach Sean Payton is the first person from the NFL to test positive for COVID-19. Payton said he started not feeling well on Sunday. The 56-year-old does not have a high fever or respiratory issues and he’ll spend the next few days quarantined at home.

The state is offering free mental health counseling to help people manage anxiety from the COVID-19 crisis. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Crawfish sales are way down as restaurants are prohibited from having dine-in sales and officials have asked people not to get together in large groups. Vermilion Parish farmer Christian Richard says the governor should allow food stamp recipients to use their benefits to buy crawfish…
cut 9 (08) “….up more business”

Governor John Bel Edwards delivers a sober analysis of where the New Orleans area may be heading under current worst-case projections…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Nearly 400 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Louisiana, as the number of cases rose by over 100 yesterday. The state is reporting ten people have died, but WWL-TV is reporting an eleventh death, the first one from St. Tammany Parish.

The crawfish industry is suffering major losses as the state goes into partial shutdown during the heart of the crawfish season. Vermilion Parish farmer Christian Richard says Lent is their best time of the year, but sales are way down because of restaurant closings and social distancing…
Cut 7 (09) “…to wind down.”
Richard says some people are buying sacks of crawfish to boil at home, but it’s a small amount.

Some state parks are being used to house people who have symptoms associated with Coronavirus and they are awaiting a positive test result. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the use of individual cabins is a better idea than using hotel rooms for the same purpose…
cut 14 (13) “…use it again”

Governor John Bel Edwards warns Louisiana’s healthcare system could be overwhelmed within the next seven to ten days by COVID-19 cases without federal assistance. Edwards says the state’s trajectory of case growth is on the same path as Italy.
Cut 10 (10) “making that.”
Italy has surpassed China to lead the world in COVID-19 related deaths at 3,405. Coronavirus has claimed ten lives in Louisiana and WWL-TV reports St. Tammany Parish has its first death. Edwards is concerned about not having enough health care workers, hospital beds and ventilators and expressed that concern with the President during a video conference call with other governors.

There are 392 cases of coronavirus in Louisiana. Rapides Parish recorded its first case yesterday.

The state is offering free counseling for anyone experiencing stress or anxiety from the COVID-19 outbreak. Medical Director for the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health Dr. James Hussey says the line is open 24 hours a day with trained counselors.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…if necessary.”
The phone number is 1-866-310-7977.

Crawfish farmers say COVID-19 could not have come at a worse time…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

392 people in Louisiana have tested positive for the coronavirus including Saints Coach Sean Payton and state Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson. Ten people have died from the virus and Governor John Bel Edwards says under a worst-case scenario, Louisiana is seven to ten days away from having its health care system overwhelmed as the cases continue to soar in the New Orleans area…
cut 12 (14) “…population”
Orleans Parish is home to 249 confirmed cases, 69 in Jefferson Parish.

Three state parks are being used to isolate people who are awaiting their coronavirus test results. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says the test subjects are from nursing homes, the homeless, and people who do not have anywhere else to go.
Cut 13 (10) “to be treated.”

The state is offering free mental health counseling to help people manage anxiety from the COVID-19 crisis. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Twenty-six of the state’s 64 parishes are reporting cases. Orleans and Jefferson Parishes are the top two. Following them its St. Tammany and Caddo. Each has 10.