280 Louisianans have tested positive for COVID-19, 196 of those in Orleans Parish and the number of cases is expected to rise sharply as a backlog of tests come in. Governor Edwards warns a shelter in place order may be necessary.
Cut 13 (11) “place.”
Several cities and counties nationwide have ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses for a lengthy period.

Chair of the Global Community Health Department of Tulane’s School of Public Health Doctor Richard Oberhelman says Mardi Gras played a role in the spread of the virus and hand contamination is likely to have been the main culprit of the spread…
cut 5 (08) “….to somebody else”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has asked the public that if they see price gouging, they should call the police. He’s also asking residents, especially seniors, that there are scam artists out there too…
cut 12 (12) “….our hotline”
That number is 1-800-351-4889.

Blood centers are reporting that the COVID-19 crisis is causing a critical shortage of blood donations. Lifeshare spokesperson Ben Prijatel says March is usually a busy month for blood centers, but…
Cut 7 (07) “…as well.”
Prijatel is urging the public to donate blood at one of their local centers and he says they do practice social distancing during the donation process.