The state logs just over another 1,000 positive COVID-19 tests. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says the growth in new cases over the past two weeks seems to have captured the public’s attention.
Cut 7 (08) “…are going back up.”
Guidry is also asking those who did test positive to please answer their phones when contact tracers call to ask about who they may have infected. Only 59% of those who tested positive from COVID-19 since mid-May have responded to phone calls from contact tracers.
Assistant State Health Officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says the contact tracing data they do have indicated 90 percent of new cases are the result of community spread.
The number of COVID patients hospitalized is up to 781.
New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell threatens to close a city Walmart for not complying with an order mandating all people entering businesses wear a mask.
Jefferson Parish is set to join Orleans Parish tomorrow in requiring mask-wearing while in businesses.
Any Louisianan planning on heading to New York or New Jersey for the 4th of July may have to change their plans. Both states are now urging travelers from a number of other states, Louisiana included, to self-quarantine for 14 days upon entry. New York and New Jersey were early epicenters of the pandemic but have seen cases drastically fall off. State health officials there say they don’t want travelers from growing hotspots to undo the progress they’ve made.