4:30 PM Newscast

1,158 Louisianans are now hospitalized with COVID-19, and 385 of them are on ventilators as statewide cases cross the 4,000 mark. 185 people have now died due to coronavirus related causes, an increase of 34 in the past 24 hours. Governor John Bel Edwards says by the end of this week the New Orleans area could reach its ventilator capacity. Edwards says he’ll likely extend his stay-at-home order beyond April 13th as Louisiana ranks second in the nation in per capita deaths related to COVID-19….

Cut 11 (11) “…as wel know”

Attorney General Jeff Landry announces a donation of 400,000 hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets to the state. Landry says it is vital to have this drug on hand for medical professionals, not only to possibly treat COVID-19 patients, but to defend themselves.

Cut 8 (07) “…with this crisis.”

President Donald Trump has extended the nation’s social distancing guidelines that were set to expire today for another month through April 30th. Senator Bill Cassidy says the restrictions will likely extend into May, unless the curve is flatten or scientists discover a treatment. Over 11-hundred COVID-19 patients are hospitalized. Cassidy very concerned about the state’s energy-producing companies
Cut 14 (10) “…price war”
After a two-week break, LSU’s spring semester resumes today, but all classes have been moved online. English Professor Kevin Cope says the transition to online learning has gone about well as it could considering the short notice, but LSU was not fully prepared to make the jump.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…subscription.”
LSU’s campus is currently set to stay closed at least through the end of May.