1230PM LRN News

Louisiana is now reporting 2,305 positive cases of COVID-19, with 83 deaths, up from 1,795 cases and 65 fatalities yesterday. 676 COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized, with 239 of them on ventilators. 53 of the state’s 64 parishes now have a confirmed case.

As these numbers continue to increase, so does the number of people calling for the expanded use of non-FDA approved experimental treatments for COVID-19 patients. Congressman Ralph Abraham is one of those advocates.

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Abraham touted what he says are anecdotally good results from the use of an anti-malarial drug called Hydroxychloroquine. Small scale studies of hydroxychloroquine on COVID-19 patients have yielded mixed results, and a Kaiser Family Foundation director labeled it a “drug of last resort”.

The average gas price in Louisiana has dropped to $1.85 a gallon. Brooke Thorington talks to a Petroleum Analyst on the outlook for the Bayou State.

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Saints QB Drew Brees commits $5 million dollars in an effort to help Louisiana communities that are struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Second Harvest Food Bank will be among the avenues in which the money will be used, and President and CEO Natalie Jayroe call Brees a true leader in the community.

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