Louisiana coronavirus cases have is up to 114, as 11 more cases have been confirmed by the state health department. Governor Edwards says that’s disproportionally high relative to our population…
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU Health New Orleans Doctor Benjamin Springgate says to help build your immune system to fend off the coronavirus, eat a balanced diet, limit alcohol and tobacco intake and stay well-rested…
cut 8 (05) “….getting an infection”

Louisiana has 114 coronavirus cases and most of them are from the New Orleans area. The two fatalities involve New Orleans patients as well. Mayor LaToya Cantrell says the city is facing a faster spread than other places…
cut 5 (14) “….twice a day”
The city has released a list of restrictions on restaurants which includes a requirement to reduce seating by 50 percent, and mandated early closures.

The coronavirus is impacting the crawfish industry too. President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says people are not congregating for crawfish boils because of the pandemic …
Cut 10 (11) “…are not there.”

New C-D-C coronavirus guidelines call for the cancellation of events with 50 or more people. Governor John Bel Edwards agrees with the social distancing approach…
cut 14 (14) “…precautions”
Most of the state’s 100-plus cases are in the New Orleans area. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says the Crescent City has been chosen for a pilot program by the federal government for drive-thru coronavirus testing…
cut 4 (12) “….our city”
City officials expect the program will be up my mid-week and first responders will be prioritized, followed by high-risk groups.

Schools are closed across the state today, but several school districts are offering lunches and breakfasts for pickup. The state department of education has secured a waiver from the federal government that enables schools to serve meals to all children age 18 and younger regardless of their location and income.

LSU Health New Orleans Doctor Benjamin Springgate says be leary of companies looking to cash in on the epidemic by offering vitamins that claim to boost your immune system to protect against the coronavirus…
cut 9 (12) “…really a benefit”

President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says mudbug sales are down as a result of the pandemic. He says people are fearful of getting together for a crawfish boil…
cut 11 (12) “….yet to be seen”

Over the weekend, the state reported its first two deaths from the coronavirus. The two victims from New Orleans were in their 50s and had underlying health conditions. Governor John Bel Edwards says this underscores the fact that those with underlying health issues are most at risk…
cut 15 (12) “…pronounced”
The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting 103 coronavirus cases, we’ll get another update next hour.

So how is the coronavirus outbreak impacting the crawfish industry? President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says the harvest is bountiful and prices are low, but demand is off because many events have been canceled. Savoy doesn’t expect the price dropping much further…
cut 12 (12) “…you a farmer”

State and local leaders are preaching social distancing, but bars were packed in New Orleans for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Matt Doyle reports New Orleans Police had to break up several large gatherings…
cut 1 (31) “…Matt Doyle”

Mayor LaToya Cantrell is ordering restaurants to close at 9 PM and bars must shut down by midnight. Bars and nightclubs must limit their capacity to up to 50-percent of posted patron limit. Restaurants also being asked to reduce seating by up to 50-percent, so that may meaning removing tables and chairs.

The state is up to 103 coronavirus cases and Governor John Bel Edwards says that’s disproportionally high relative to our population. Matt Doyle has the story…
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

State lawmakers return to the capitol today for the second week of the legislative session. Public access into the building will be limited. Authorized personnel will check everyone’s temperature and if you have a fever, you will not be allowed in. There will be limitations on how many people can be in the committee rooms and the House and Senate chambers.

As the COVID-19 cases continue to add up, health experts recommend preparing the immune system to fend off the ailment. Chief of community and population medicine at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Benjamin Springgate says in addition to good hygiene, the body’s intake is key to being as healthy as possible.
Cut 7 (08) “…you’re taking in.”

The coronavirus is impacting the crawfish industry too. President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says people are not congregating for crawfish boils because of the pandemic …
Cut 10 (11) “…are not there.”
Savoy says the smaller communities are staying on par with normal rates of sales, but it’s the bigger cities where the sales are hurting most.

Two people have died from the coronavirus in Louisiana and Governor John Bel Edwards says data shows per capita the state has one of the highest rates of infections in the nation. Edwards says his proclamation that bans gatherings of more than 250 people is serious, and is being done to flatten the curve.
Cut 13 (12) “…healthcare.”
The state is reporting 103 cases of coronavirus. Most of them are in the New Orleans area. The ballooning number of NOLA based cases didn’t keep people from packing into bars on St. Patrick’s Day. NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson begged residents to observe social distancing…
Cut 6 (11) “…weaker system.”
If businesses refuse to participate in the ban on large gatherings, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell threatened to revoke their liquor licenses.

Health experts say there are plenty of companies hoping to cash in on the COVID-19 pandemic with super-cures and immune-boosters, regardless of effectiveness. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State lawmakers return to the capitol today for the second week of the legislative session. Ten committee hearings are set set for today. The three-month long session will end June 1st. But because of the spread of the coronavirus, there’s a chance the session could end early, so lawmakers are putting more of an emphasis on bills that must be passed.

Public access into the building will be limited. Fewer people will be allowed in the committee rooms and in the House and Senate chambers. Also, social distancing will be practiced.

Also individuals entering the capitol will have their temperature checked. If a person has a fever, they will not be allowed in. People who pass the fever test, will receive a special sticker for the day

Legislative desks, podiums, committee rooms and all flat surfaces will be wiped down with disinfectants.

Republican legislative leaders say after consulting with medical professionals, they’re taking the necessary CDC precautions so the Legislature can continue to function, so they can meet their constitutional responsibilities.

So what are lawmakers taking up today, House Appropriations will hear from the department of transportation and the office of public services and corrections.

At 9:30, House Commerce will consider the bills to adopt daylight saving time as the standard time.

All public schools are closed today through April 13th. The state department of education has secured a waiver from the federal government that enables schools to serve meals to all children 18 and younger regardless of their location and income during the school closure period. A parish-by-parish list of school meal sties can be found at Louisiana-believes-dot-com.

The state saw it’s first two deaths from the virus over the weekend, and Governor Edwards says we expect the total number of cases to continue rising…

Cut 13 (12) “…healthcare.”

At this time last week, Louisiana did not have a single known case of COVID-19.  In the time since, the Governor has banned gatherings of 250 people or more and canceled k-12 school through April 13^th.  This morning, state health officials announced the number of presumptive positive coronavirus cases in Louisiana has grown to 51. A majority of the cases are in the greater New Orleans area with 36 cases in Orleans Parish and 7 cases in Jefferson Parish.
With this past week’s announcement that the French Quarter Fest has been moved to October, a similar announcement is expected for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.  The Advocate newspaper is reporting an announcement of the festival’s plans is likely to come early this week.  If canceled or rescheduled, it would be a first in the festival’s 51-year history.  AEG, the festival’s co-producer, has already moved two of its other major events, California’s Coachella and Stagecoach, to October as well.  Jazz Fest is currently on the schedule for the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May.
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces a delay to the upcoming election in light of the coronavirus. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

COVID-19 may be on everyone’s minds, but seasonal viruses and problems are still lingering.  LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says one way to tell if you have COVID-19 or just the regular seasonal flu is…

Cut 12 (12) “COVID.”

Lopez says the flu is still prevalent and it’s not too late to get a vaccine.

The number of presumptive positive coronavirus case in Louisiana has grown from 36 to 51. A majority of the cases are in the greater New Orleans area with 36 case in Orleans Parish and 7 cases in Jefferson Parish. Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson, has pledged to cover the wages for Smoothie King Center employees who have lost out on paychecks because the NBA’s suspension for the next 30 days. Williamson made the announcement of the commitment on his Instagram. The nearly-18,000 capacity arena could be vacant for quite some time as the governor has banned gatherings of 250 people or more and cancelled k-12 school through April 13^th.
COVID-19 may be on everyone’s minds, but seasonal viruses and problems are still lingering. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says the flu is still prevalent and it’s not too late to get a vaccine. Lopez says symptoms come on about five days after exposure, and there’s really three symptoms that stand out in a clear majority of COVID-19 infections.

Cut 13 (10) “…severe.”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces in light of the current events, the upcoming elections in the state will be postponed, and as a result the April 4^th election will be moved to June 20^th.Ardoin met with the Governor’s Office, Unified Command Group and Health officials and a consensus was reached that delaying the Presidential Primary elections is in the best interest of public safety.

Cut 10 (10) “…is conducted.”

The National Federation of Independent Business says a majority of small businesses are reporting being impacted by the coronavirus.  Don Molino has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Don Molino” 

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces in light of the current events, the upcoming elections in the state will be postponed, and as a result the April 4^th election will be moved to June 20^th. Ardoin says the state has 3-million registered voters that vote at more than two-thousand polling locations across the state.
Cut 9 (12) “…population.″
Ardoin met with the Governor’s Office, Unified Command Group and Health officials and a consensus was reached that delaying the Presidential Primary elections is in the best interest of public safety.

The National Federation of Independent Business says 74% of businesses are reporting they are not currently being impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.  NFIB state director Dawn Starns says about 18% of small business owners are not concerned about the pandemic at all.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…are slightly concerned.”

COVID-19 may be on everyone’s minds, but seasonal viruses and problems are still lingering. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says the flu is still prevalent and it’s not too late to get a vaccine. Lopez says symptoms come on about five days after exposure, and there’s really three symptoms that stand out in a clear majority of COVID-19 infections.

Cut 13 (10) “…severe.”

While everyone’s attention is focused on COVID-19, a suspected Capitol City arsonist is believed to have targeted four buildings last night, resulting in the complete destruction of a lawyer’s office.

Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesperson Curt Monte says they do believe the cases were related.

Cut 6 (09) “…related.”

Two vacant houses, an office building, and the attorney’s office were targeted.