1:30 PM Newscast

The State Health Officer issues a dire pandemic prediction to a Legislative committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…Jeff Palermo”  

The state reports 452 new COVID cases today, surpassing a grand total of 166,000 cases. Total fatalities… 5,321, up by 13. Hospitalizations… 553, with 79 on ventilators.

The discussion over the 25-percent maximum capacity at athletic events took the spotlight at a legislative committee this morning. Assistant state health officer Dr. Joe Kanter defended the current spectator cap by saying it isn’t the social distancing in the stands that is the area of concern, but the choke points within a venue. Kanter says the challenge extends beyond knowing and accepting the risk involved because coronavirus spreads even without any symptoms.

Cut 8 (13) “…without knowing it (x2).”

Baton Rouge Republican Rick Edmonds says the inability to attend high school football is detrimental to families who feel it’s a time-honored tradition. Edmonds tells state health officer, Dr. Jimmy Guidry, he wants the policy to be reviewed for possible amendments to allow more people in the stands.

Cut 9 (07) “…given to that.”