All K-12 schools in Louisiana will be closed until April 13^th and public gatherings of more than 250 people are banned according to Governor Edwards as the threat of COVID-19 rises and the state works to contain future spread as much as possible.

LSU announces they will cancel all on and off-campus events through May 30^th. A decision will be made about commencement at a later date.

The state boys basketball tournament is still on, with three games set to be played today and four to be played tomorrow, but no fans will be allowed.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces the Louisiana Presidential primary will be postponed until June 20^th. It was set to be held April 4^th, but Ardoin says a meeting with health officials convinced him the drastic step was necessary.

Cut 10 (10) “…is conducted.”

If officials feel that June 20th is not ideal they will revisit the decision.

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 the motive is unknown at this moment, and it can be difficult in the early days to figure out what may have inspired the crime.

Cut 7, 12 seconds, arsons

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

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…

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Louisiana is shutting down K through 12 schools across the state until at least April 13^th and banning public gatherings of 250 or more in an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus. This becomes effective Monday.

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”

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 of those that are seeing disruption, 46% are reporting slowed sales.

Cut 3 (09)  “…supply chain disruption.”  

Starns says about 18% of small business owners are not concerned about the pandemic at all.

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.”

The motive is unknown at this moment.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced this morning that in light of the current events the upcoming elections in the state will be postponed. Ardoin says the safety of the voters and poll workers are at the forefront of the decision to delay the April 4^th election 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.″

LSU has now canceled all on and off-campus events through May 30^th due to coronavirus concerns.

As the number of presumptive positive cases statewide hits 33 the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Awareness announces the state emergency operations center has been partially activated.

Governor John Bel Edwards says everybody in Louisiana has a role to play in slowing down the spread of the coronavirus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces the Presidential primary will be pushed back to June 20^th, from it’s previously scheduled April 4^th date out of COVID-19 concerns.

Louisiana now has 33 presumptive positive coronavirus cases, up from just one on Monday. US Surgeon General Jerome Adams says even though we are seeing a rising number of cases in the state, not every illness means you have COVID-19. He and the Governor preached caution saying unless you are showing those specific symptoms like fever, don’t ask to get tested.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…now for coronavirus.”

Ochsner Health has designated three urgent care locations devoted to COVID-19 testing in New Orleans, Houma, and Mandeville. Tests will only be provided if recommended by the Louisiana Department of Health.

Roughly 24,000 people were warned in mid-February they could lose Medicaid eligibility due to income requirements, with those cancelations set to happen mid-March right as COVID-19 is ramping up. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller is calling on the program to put a halt on all coverage suspensions, saying it could exacerbate the pandemic…

Cut 15 (08) “…people.”

LDH Health Secretary Stephen Russo told the advocate when asked about the topic that “there has not been any talk that we would delay any of that.”

Louisiana Department of Health is now working with the statewide 211 network to answer questions about the coronavirus outbreak.   Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says  211 will answer questions 24/7.

Cut 8 (10) “…where resources are.”

As of this morning 33 have tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 in Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health is now working with the statewide 211 network to answer questions about the outbreak.  Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says the 211 service is one of the most trusted points of information for the public.

Cut 7 (11) “…their loved ones.”

Roughly 24-thousand people were warned in mid-February they could lose Medicaid eligibility due to income requirements, with those cancelations set to happen mid-March. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says it would be hard to find a worse time to kick people off of Medicaid. He’s calling for the program to freeze all coverage suspensions.

Cut 13 (12) “…sick.”

While coronavirus testing availability may be limited, Surgeon General Jerome Adams feels confident Louisiana has enough testing available in the state

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is expected to will hold a press briefing today to discuss potential voting options for the upcoming primary. Ardoin’s office issued a statement that they have been meeting with health officials and the Governor’s Unified Command Group in regard to elections plans.  Ardoin says he wants to protect the sacred right to vote while also protecting the health and safety of voters.

Now, the state has 33 presumptive positive cases for the coronavirus. New cases in the  St. Tammany , St Charles, St. Bernard, and  Terrebonne Parishes. As for testing US Surgeon General Jerome Adams says once samples get to a testing lab, there is a need to slow down the process so all the wells in a test kit will not be used up.

Cut 6 (11) “…in the process.”

At least four people in three different southeastern states have tested positive for COVID-19 after attending Mardi Gras events in New Orleans according to various authorities. The Arkansas Department of Health says their first presumptive case patient likely contracted the virus during carnival events. In Shelby County, Tennessee, Health Department officials say two people tested positive after their trip and the Montgomery County, Texas, Public Health District says a woman in her 40s is presumed positive as well from her Mardi Gras trip.

Louisiana Department of Health is now working with the statewide 211 network to answer questions about the coronavirus outbreak.   Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says the service can be used to debunk misleading information about the virus that may be spreading on social media.

Cut 9 (07) “…their loved ones.″

There is also a text alert system available by texting LACOVID, all one word, to 898-211

All SEC sports have been canceled through March 30^th at all member schools, and spring sports championships are set to be pushed back. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says it wasn’t easy to cancel the SEC Basketball Tournament. He says some of the students playing won’t have another chance to win one…

Cut 10 (12) “about.”

Automatic full ticket refunds will be made by March 31^st for all sports.

The number of the state’s presumed COVID-19 cases has climbed to 19 and so far, 64 people have been tested. US Surgeon General Jerome Adams says the amount of testing locations and tests are limited and it takes about 4 to 6 hours to run each test.

Cut 5 (12)  “…twice a day.”

Tests will only be provided if recommended by the Louisiana Department of Health.

Roughly 24,000 people were warned in mid-February they could lose Medicaid eligibility due to income requirements, with those cancelations set to happen mid-March. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says the new automated income eligibility check is punishing those who didn’t fill out the right paperwork.

Cut 14 (12) “…they need”

Louisiana Department of Health is now offering a 24/7 information hotline for COVID-19.  Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

And the department of health orders all healthcare facilities to restrict visitors. Visitors who will be allowed into each facility will be determined by those facilities after consulting with families and responsible parties. Those who have come in contact with the virus, showing symptoms or have returned from international travel in the previous two weeks will be restricted. The new guideline will end on April 10 unless extended by the department.

The number of the state’s presumed COVID-19 cases has climbed to 19 and while testing availability may be limited, Surgeon General Jerome Adams feels confident Louisiana has enough testing available in the state. But Adams, along with Governor Edwards, stressed that unless you are showing symptoms, you should not try to get tested.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…now for coronavirus.”

So far 64 people have been tested.

Louisiana Department of Health is now working with the statewide 211 network to answer questions about the coronavirus outbreak.   Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says 211 will answer questions 24/7 and 211 has been invaluable during hurricanes.

Cut 8 (10) “…where resources are.”

Over 20-thousand Medicaid recipients were warned in February they could lose their benefits by mid-March due to income eligibility concerns. Matt Doyle spoke with an advocate who says that’s a bad idea…

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is expected to will hold a press briefing today to discuss potential voting options for the upcoming primary. Ardoin’s office issued a statement that they have been meeting with health officials and the Governor’s Unified Command Group in regard to elections plans.  Ardoin says he wants to protect the sacred right to vote while also protecting the health and safety of voters.

Louisiana Department of Health is now working with the statewide 211 network to answer questions about the coronavirus outbreak.   Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says the 211 service is one of the most trusted points of information for the public when it comes to health and human services.

Cut 7 (11) “…their loved ones.”

Roughly 24-thousand people were warned in mid-February they could lose Medicaid eligibility due to income requirements, with those cancelations set to happen mid-March. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan (Yan) Moller says it would be hard to find a worse time to kick people off of Medicaid. He’s calling for the program to freeze all coverage suspensions.

Cut 13 (12) “…sick.”

While coronavirus testing availability may be limited, Surgeon General Jerome Adams feels confident Louisiana has enough testing available in the state

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

At least four people in three different southeastern states have tested positive for COVID-19 after attending Mardi Gras events in New Orleans according to various authorities. The Arkansas Department of Health says their first presumptive case-patient likely contracted the virus during carnival events. In Shelby County, Tennessee, Health Department officials say two people tested positive after their trip and the Montgomery County, Texas, Public Health District says a woman in her 40s is presumed positive as well.