Louisiana is reporting 1,601 COVID-19 deaths and 26,140 positive cases. According to the state health department, Louisiana has a death rate of about two percent. Most deaths in the state have occurred in Orleans Parish, where 392 people have died. But analysis from the New York Times shows that New Orleans, Hammond, Houma, Shreveport, and Lafayette have seen a large decline in new cases and new deaths.

Governor Edwards says the state is ramping up COVID testing capacity with the goal of being able to perform 200,000 tests in a month by May. Edwards says the minimum testing capacity needed to enter Phase One of reopening the economy is 140-150,000 tests a month.
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Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says debris from the Easter tornado may have traveled far, while acts of kindness have traveled in from much further. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Clean-up continues at the Dean Lee Research Center in Alexandria. A tornado hit the facility on Wednesday night. LSU AgCenter Central Region Director Tara Smith says they are working to gain access to equipment so research continues…
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