A study of NCAA athletes supports CDC revised quarantine guidelines when testing is performed during the 5^th day or later. Brooke Thorington has more and how LSU Health New Orleans participated in the study.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter gave an update on the status of the state’s COVID vaccination campaign. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

_____________________________

Louisiana will remain under the current modified Phase Two COVID restrictions for at least another 28 days. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

__________________________

Health officials are seeing strong demand for the COVID-19 vaccine. Ochsner Health System says they have scheduled 113-thousand vaccine appointments over the next two months. Louisiana Hospital Association President Paul Salles says if you are 70 and over and wishing to get vaccinated, schedule an appointment

Cut 4 (09) “…as they can.”

Sallas says the Louisiana Health Department will expand eligibility in phases as the state gets more vaccines so check the L-D-H’s website for updates. He says you can schedule an appointment online or by phone in advance…

Cut 5 (11) “…bear with us.”

There are over two-thousand COVID patients hospitalized. Salles says it is critically important that Louisianians take proper precautions and practice social distancing…

Cut 6 (11) “…begin with.”

________________________

A study, of NCAA athletes and the length of COVID quarantine, supports the CDC revised quarantine guidelines from 14 to 10 days after a negative test on the 5^th day or later. Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Dr. Catherine O’Neal co-authored the study.

Cut 7 (09)  “…fairly low.”

The probability of developing a positive result after the tenth day was less than five percent.

The CDC reviewed data of 620 athletes that tested positive for COVID, it showed 49-percent tested positive by day two of quarantine and 73-percent tested positive by day 5.  Thus, more supporting data to reduce the quarantine hardship to ten days when testing is performed during the quarantine.

O’Neal says it’s important to recognize in trying to control the pandemic that it’s extremely common to be asymptomatic and still test positive for COVID.

Cut 8 (08) “…know it”

The study also indicates that despite close contact associated with athletics, more student-athletes reported COVID exposure at social gatherings versus athletics. O’Neal says it supports one can play sports but only when strict CDC mitigation guidelines are followed…

Cut 9 (09) “…activity.”

________________________________

Just under 140,000 COVID-19 vaccines have now been officially administered in Louisiana.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says vaccination of members of the public over 70 and some essential workers, also known as group 1B, is going well. This week 210 pharmacies in every parish of the state will receive 35,785 doses. Unfortunately…

Cut 10 (09) “…next week.”

That’s due to the slow pace of vaccine allocations by the feds. This week the number spiked as Louisiana freed up more vaccines held in reserve.

Roughly half of the vaccines the state is receiving are being held back at the moment. Kanter says that’s because the feds can’t promise us how many doses we will receive three to four weeks in the future…

Cut 11 (07) “…come up”

The Trump Administration agreed to a request by the incoming Biden Administration to release reserve vaccines, but even with that policy, it’s unclear how many doses the state will receive in the coming weeks.

Kanter also says they’re developing better policies to make sure every ounce of vaccine is administered before it expires.

Cut 12 (07) “…lost”

Kanter also noted the nursing home resident and staff vaccination program is going well with Walgreens administering 6,144 doses and CVS administering 6,414.

______________________________________________

Governor Edwards extends the current modified Phase Two COVID public health order for another four weeks.

Edwards says most businesses will remain limited to 50 percent capacity as the state rides out the brutal third wave of the pandemic.

Cut 13 (07) “…mandate.”

Despite the dramatic recent spike in cases, Edwards reiterated comments that the state cannot enforce its way to COVID compliance, it needs people to voluntarily follow mitigation measures and discontinue small group gatherings that are driving the current surge.

Edwards appealed to residents to lean on services like Zoom to avoid in-person socializing and called on businesses to do everything they can to maximize the number of workers who can work from home.

Cut 14 (11) “…region.” 

Edwards says every region of the state has a positivity rate above ten percent.

While businesses will be allowed to remain open at half capacity Edwards says that doesn’t mean you have to go inside. He encourages curbside or delivery service …

Cut 15 (07)“…you can.”

______________________________________________

LSU men’s basketball begins a three-game homestand tonight as they host Arkansas at the Maravich Center at 6 PM. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks in the PMAC by two points last season and but also lost to the Hogs in Fayetteville giving up 99 points. Tigers coach Will Wade says he didn’t prepare his team well enough to face Arkansas last season so he studied up on their head coach Eric Musselman

Cut 16 (22) “…our team.”

LSU enters the game with 8-2 record, 3-and-one in conference play, while the Razorbacks are 10-and-2, two and two in the SEC. The Hogs lead the league in scoring at 88 points per game and Wade says they like to push the ball up the court

Cut 17 (20) “..three-point line.”

__________________________________________________

When the Saints and Buccaneers play on Sunday, New Orleans will look to complete a three-game sweep of Tampa Bay this season.  Bucs head coach Bruce Arians has faced the same team three times in one season on multiple occasions and says that each game is different.

Cut  18 (14) “…know each other.”

A key for the Bucs will be to put pressure on quarterback Drew Brees, which is no easy task.  Arians says it’s tough to get to Brees because he makes quick decisions.

Cut 19 (12) “…get him there free.”

Tampa Bay will benefit from the return of former LSU linebacker Devin White, who will suit up for Tampa Bay on Sunday. White missed the Bucs’ last two games as he was on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Arians calls White one of the best in the league.

cut 20 (09) “…in the league.”

Governor Edwards extended the current modified Phase 2 coronavirus restrictions for another 28 days. He also implored residents to discontinue small gatherings outside their immediate households as contact tracing indicates that’s spurring the current spike in cases.

State Police says they are aware of a planned protest at the State Capitol and Lt Nick Manale says the FBI has warned them of armed protests at every state capitol in the country being planned for the weekend. Over the last several weekends, Trump supporters have gathered on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol but held peaceful demonstrations. The crowd is expected to be much bigger this Sunday, and Manale says they’ll be prepared.

Cut 5  (10) “…security protocols” 

President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration is set for next Wednesday.

President Donald Trump briefly spoke with reporters this morning saying the House Democrat backed impeachment vote Wednesday is causing “tremendous danger to our country and causing tremendous anger.” UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says most Republicans, including Louisiana’s Congressional delegation, will argue impeaching the President for a second time less than two weeks before he leaves office is unnecessary.

Cut 10 (10) “.constitution.”

President Trump is being impeached for “Incitement of Insurrection.”

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered all criminal and civil jury trials to be halted until March 1^st due to the pandemic. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this is yet another unavoidable pandemic problem and will cause ongoing lawsuits to remain unresolved.

Cut 13 (10)“…understandable.”

Last spring court proceedings were put on hold at the beginning of the pandemic.

Governor Edwards extended the Phase 2 coronavirus restrictions for another 28 days. He also encouraged businesses to have employees work remotely where possible as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations remain high. He stated the majority of contract tracing shows small gatherings are responsible for the ongoing spike in COVID cases.

House Democrats are moving ahead with another impeachment of the President alleging his comments at a D.C. rally spurred on last week’s mob assault on the U.S. Capitol.

cut 2 (29) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

Louisiana State Police say they are aware of planned protests at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge as armed pro-Trump crowds are expected to gather at state capitol buildings across the nation. Lt. Nick Manale says the FBI reportedly issued a bulletin of planned protests leading up to the inauguration on January 20th. He says they will have additional security measures in place…

Cut 4 (11) “…peaceful gathering” 

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered all criminal and civil jury trials to be halted until March 1^st due to the pandemic. Last spring court proceedings were put on hold at the beginning of the pandemic. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the delay is not without repercussions.

Cut 12 (12) “…not settle.” 

North Louisiana woke up to a light layer of powder on the ground Monday morning but unfortunately that snow event has left just over 8,000 SWEPCO customers in Texas and Louisiana still without power. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan expects all of those customers will be restored by the end of the day.

Cut 8 (10) “…back on.”

About 200 Cleco customers remain without power.

The FBI is reportedly warning law enforcement that armed protests are being planned at all 50 state Capitols in the lead up to President-elect Biden’s inauguration next week. Louisiana State Police say they are aware of the warning and Lt. Nick Manale says they’re communicating with other agencies…

Cut 3 (12)  “..and staff”

House Democrats are forging ahead with another impeachment attempt, this time for alleged Incitement of Insurrection. The vote is set for Wednesday and if impeached President Trump will be the only President to ever be impeached twice. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this could be setting a new precedent.

Cut 11 (11) “…routine”

It appears unlikely two-thirds of the US Senate would vote to convict and remove the President before his term ends.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered all criminal and civil jury trials to be halted until March 1^st due to the pandemic. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this is yet another unavoidable pandemic problem and will cause ongoing lawsuits to remain unresolved.

Cut 13 (10)“…understandable.”

Last spring court proceedings were put on hold at the beginning of the pandemic. 

House Democrats are moving ahead with another impeachment of the President alleging his comments at a D.C. rally spurred on last week’s mob assault on the U.S. Capitol.

cut 2 (29) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

Governor Edwards will address the state at 330 today to discuss if the state should remain in the current modified Phase Two COVID restrictions. This comes as the state reports another 4,673 cases and nearly 160-thousand vaccine doses have been administered, an increase of 78-thousand since the last update.

State Police says they are aware of a planned protest at the State Capitol. Lt Nick Manale says the FBI has warned them of armed protesters at every state capitol being planned. Over the last several weekends, Trump supporters have gathered on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol and held peaceful demonstrations. But the crowd is expected to be much bigger this Sunday, and Manale says they’ll be prepared.

Cut 5  (10) “…security protocols” 

 The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered all criminal and civil jury trials to be halted until March 1^st due to the pandemic. Last spring court proceedings were put on hold at the beginning of the pandemic. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the delay is not without repercussions.

Cut 12 (12) “…not settle.” 

Louisiana State Police is planning for increased security at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge in the days leading up to President Joe Biden’s inauguration…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Governor Edwards will address the state at 330 PM with news of whether we remain in the current modified Phase Two for COVID restrictions, or move back a Phase and implement tighter limits. This comes as the state reports another 4,673 cases and 53 deaths today, but hospitalizations for COVID-19 appear to be plateauing.

President Donald Trump briefly spoke with reports this morning saying the House Democrat backed impeachment vote Wednesday is causing “tremendous danger to our country and causing tremendous anger.” UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says most Republicans, including Louisiana’s Congressional delegation, will argue impeaching the President for a second time less than two weeks before he leaves office is unnecessary.

Cut 10 (10) “.constitution.”

President Trump is being impeached for “Incitement of Insurrection”.

Fewer than 10,000 SWEPCO customers are still without power after Sunday night’s rare snow event in north Louisiana. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says they’re pulling in extra crews to help deal with the unusual damage…

Cut 7 (08) “…melting.”

Sunday’s snow was the first measurable snow event in the region since 2018.

Louisiana State Police say they are aware of planned protests at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge as armed pro-Trump crowds are expected to gather at state capitol buildings across the nation. Lt. Nick Manale says the FBI reportedly issued a bulletin of planned protests leading up the inauguration on January 20th. He says they will have additional security measures in place…

Cut 4 (11) “…peaceful gathering” 

The House will vote on impeaching President Donald Trump Wednesday, alleging he spurred on last week’s mob assault on the Capitol. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says he does not expect much Republican support for impeachment and would be highly surprised if any Louisiana Congressman voted in favor…

Cut 9 (11) “…trouble.”

Today President Trump told reporters that the impeachment effort is causing tremendous anger and danger in our country.

Sunday’s rare snowfall in parts of the Bayou State has some residents still in the dark. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says less than 10-thousand of their customers remain without electricity.

Cut 6 (11) “…wire down”

Cleco says at one time they had 53-hundred customers without power now they have less than 200, mostly in Sabine and DeSoto parishes.

Mega Millions is up to 615 million dollars for tonight’s drawing and Powerball is at 550 million for Wednesday night.  Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the Powerball jackpot is the 9^th largest ever, and the Mega Millions draw is the 4^th largest…

Cut 11 (04) “top ten”.

The skyrocketing jackpots have more players buying tickets. Last week the state tallied 5.4 million in lotto sales, twice as much as it did that same time last month.

Louisiana State Police say they are aware of planned protests at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge as pro-Trump crowds are expected to gather at state capitol buildings across the nation. Lt. Nick Manale says they are in communication with their law enforcement partners.

Cut 3 (12)  “..and staff”

The FBI reportedly issued a bulletin that armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20th.

Ochsner Health continues COVID vaccine rollout to their employees and is also aiding with inoculations for those over the age of 70. Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Ochsner Health Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says as of Monday they’ve administered 57-thousand doses, which includes…

Cut 4 (07) “…of 70.”

As political fallout continues from the storming of the Capitol last week, the question arises can your employer fire you for your political beliefs? Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says in Louisiana the answer is yes…

Cut 7 (11)  “…fire you.”

Ciolino says California is one of the few states where an employer cannot terminate you for engaging in political activities.

Mega Millions is up to 615 million dollars for tonight’s drawing and Powerball is at 550 million for Wednesday night’s drawing.

Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says we haven’t seen jackpots over half a billion dollars in over a year.

Cut 10 (09) “…2019.”

35 percent of all state lotto revenue goes to fund K-12 education in Louisiana.