Over 500 Ochsner Health employees are quarantining after being diagnosed with COVID-19. That’s just adding to the nursing shortage issue as hospitals struggle to care for coronavirus patients. Louisiana State Nurses Association President Ecoee Rooney says beyond the lack of nurses the pandemic has also created a major financial incentive for nurses at regional hospitals to take travel assignments.
Cut 5 (09) “…hospitals”

To entice more people to get vaccinated the city of Shreveport is giving individuals $100 to roll up their sleeve Mayor Adrian Perkins says so far there’s been lots of interest in the Saturday vaccination event since they announced the incentive, and he thinks other cities in the Bayou State will follow their lead.

Cut 9 (08) “…this weekend.”

Go to the City of Shreveport’s Facebook page for more information.

Louisiana’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force hopes to boost vaccination rates by combating vaccine hesitancy in the Black community. Tulane School of Public Health Dean Dr. Thomas LaVeist says what has happened in the past is a major driver of hesitancy among Blacks

cut 10 (10) “…Americans.”
He says black leaders are trying to fight through the skepticism to get blacks to get the shot.

Since LA Wallet added the Covid Vaccine digital opt-in to the digital license platform earlier this year, more than 200,000 are using it. LA Wallet Project Manager Sara Kelley says if your vaccination card won’t pull up visit your physician or visit a parish health unit, anyone with LINKs system access can assist.

Cut 15 (06)“…for you.”

Your name, address, and zip code must match what is on your driver’s license.

Nursing shortages are exacerbating the impact of the Delta surge. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

___________________________________

So, what would it take to convince you to get a COVID vaccine if you haven’t already? Would a 100-bucks do it? Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_________________________________________

As more places are beginning to ask for proof of vaccination, Louisiana is one of the few states where is can be as easy as pulling out your phone. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_______________________________

Hospitals and other health care facilities are facing a shortage of nurses, a problem that’s really hitting home as Delta surge tears through the state.

Louisiana State Nurses Association President Ecoee (E-Coy) Rooney says the shortage isn’t surprising, but the timing couldn’t be worse.

Cut 4 (09) “..retiring.”

Rooney says beyond the lack of nurses the pandemic has also created a major financial incentive for nurses at regional hospitals to take travel assignments.

Cut 5 (09) “…hospitals”

In a strange twist Rooney says many of those nurses taking travel assignments end up back at their original hospital doing the same work for a lot more money.

Rooney says the lack of nurses has led to some patients receiving poorer quality care than they would have received should the facility be fully staffed.

Cut 6 (11) “…gap.”

_____________________

If you’re on the fence about getting vaccinated, the City of Shreveport is offering 100-bucks to entice you to roll up your sleeve. Mayor Adrian Perkins says they will hold a vaccination event at two community centers Saturday and the first 250 at each location can pad their wallets.

Cut 7 (11) “…vaccinated.”

Funding for the vaccine incentive is part of the American Rescue Act. Perkins says due to the low vaccination rate in Region Seven which includes Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana he wanted to persuade individuals to prioritize their health.

Cut 8 (07) “…much higher.” 

So far Perkins says there’s been lots of interest in the event since they announced the $100 incentive, and he thinks other cities in the Bayou State will follow their lead.

Cut 9 (08) “…this weekend.”

The Pfizer vaccine will be administered by LSU Health Shreveport Saturday from 10 am until 2 pm at AB Palmer Community Center and David Raines Community Center. The second dose will be given on August 28^th. You must be 12 and older and those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

_____________________________________

Louisiana’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force is hoping to boost vaccination rates by combating vaccine hesitancy in the Black community.

Tulane School of Public Health Dean Dr. Thomas LaVeist says a major driver of hesitancy amongst Blacks is the long, documented history of medical racism in the US.

Cut 10 (10) “…Americans.”

One of the most commonly cited examples of historic racism against Blacks by the American health care system is the Tuskegee Experiment in 1932. During that experiment Blacks were enrolled by the U.S. Public Health Service in a syphilis study, but were not informed they had syphilis only that they had “bad blood”. Instead of being given treatment, they were instead given placebos, blocked from receiving care elsewhere, and had their painful physical deterioration studied and documented.

LaVeist says most hesitant Blacks aren’t anti-vax, they just have unanswered questions. One of the most common concerns is potential long-term impacts, which can be addressed.

Cut 11 (13) “…by now.”

LaVeist says another common concern is related to misinformation that the vaccine creation process was rushed. He attributed that in part to Operation Warp Speed’s success in quickly manufacturing a safe and effective vaccine, but the program’s failure to educate the public in how it was done.

LaVeist says to persuade more African Americans to take the shot leaders will have to acknowledge the roots of this skepticism and explain why, in spite of those concerns, getting vaccinated is still a good idea.

Cut 12 (10) “…distrust.” 

The percentage of Blacks in the state who are vaccinated sits in the mid-30s per LDH data, nearly identical to the percentage among whites.

_____________________________________

If you’re asked to show proof of your vaccination status instead of carrying around your vaccine card you can just pull out your phone and use LA Wallet. Since the feature was launched in the spring, LA Wallet Project Manager Sara Kelley says they’ve seen quite the increase in users opting in for vaccine status.

Cut 13 (09) “…in the system.”

Kelley said when an LA Wallet user opts in to add their vaccination status it pulls data from the LINKS system with the department of health. It must match the name, birth date, and zip code on your driver’s license.

Cut 14 (07) “…logo.”

If for some reason you’re not able to pull up a digital version of your vaccine status on LA Wallet Kelley says to contact your physicians or visit a parish health department. She says any healthcare provider that has access to the LINKS system can assist.

Cut 15 (06)“…for you.”

Louisiana is the first state in the country to provide residents digital access to their vaccination status. Users must opt-in on the smartphone app for access.

______________________________

Louisiana native Peyton Manning will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Sunday. Manning threw for nearly 72-thousand yards and 539 touchdowns during his NFL career and won two Super Bowls, one with the Colts and one with the Broncos….
Cut 16 (15) “…I am.”

Manning’s ability to dissect opposing defenses and quick decision-making helped him transform the quarterback position. He turned the Colts into a winning franchise and helped Denver win its third Super Bowl in franchise history. The New Orleans native says he had a lot of support during his Hall of Fame career…
Cut 17 (15) “…with them.” 

Saints Hall of Famer Archie Manning will present his son Peyton during Sunday’s induction ceremonies. Archie is a proud father and has spent time reflecting on Peyton’s journey…

Cut  18 (19)”…great players.”

_______________________________________________________

Fresh off a ten-win season, the Ragin Cajuns return to the practice field today for the start of preseason camp. U-L Lafayette returns 20 starters including quarterback Levi Lewis. Coach Billy Napier says they’ll use this time as an opportunity to improve the starters and the backups…

Cut 19 (19)  “…observe.” 

The Cajuns return a number of starters on defense, including safety Bralen Trahan, who intercepted a team-high four passes last season. The former Acadiana Wreckin Ram on how he can become a better player

Cut 20 (15)  “…this fall.” 

Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says according to a tracking system they use for non-hospitalized patients he doesn’t see COVID case numbers letting up anytime soon. The system allows them to stay in contact with COVID patients who are recovering at home to see if their symptoms worsen and need to be admitted.

Cut 3 (08) “…escalate.” 

LSU will not begin the fall semester with a vaccine mandate for in-person attendance, much to the chagrin of the LSU Faculty Senate. However, LSU Board Chairman Robert Dampf says if he had unilateral authority he would institute a campus vaccine mandate, but the best the school can legally do is require monthly COVID testing for unvaccinated students.

Cut 8 (07) “…vaccine”

Dampf made the comments on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster.

The father of injured LSU quarterback Myles Brennan sheds light on his injury and his recovery. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

In a memo to season ticket holders, LSU says they continue to consult with campus and state health officials, and at this time, there are no plans to implement restrictions that could impact the game day experience. The school says they are preparing for a normal season inside Tiger Stadium. LSU’s home opener is September 11th versus McNeese.

The state reported 54-hundred new COVID cases today and for the third day in a row recording-breaking hospitalizations at 2,350. 33 new fatalities from the virus were also reported.  On a positive note, now more than 2-million have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

LSU Board Chairman Robert Dampf says the school is legally prohibited from mandating students take the COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says according to a tracking system they use for non-hospitalized patients he doesn’t see COVID case numbers letting up anytime soon. The system allows them to stay in contact with COVID patients who are recovering at home to see if their symptoms worsen and need to be admitted.

Cut 3 (08) “…escalate.” 

Moderna has joined Pfizer in pushing for the FDA and CDC to back giving fully vaccinated individuals a third booster shot, in an effort to fight the Delta variant. Tulane School of Public Health Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says the vaccines have proven to be highly effective at significantly reducing the chance of a severe infection…

Cut 13 (11) “.vaccine”

Even with the statewide mask mandate back in effect, Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says he doesn’t see hospitalizations letting up anytime soon. Thomas says it’s still too early to tell but, in the past, their symptom tracking system, which communicates with COVID patients recovering at home, has shown mask usage curbs case numbers.

Cut 4 (11) “…that yet.” 

LSU will not begin the school year a vaccine mandate for in-person attendance for students, much to the chagrin of the LSU Faculty Senate. LSU Board Chairman Robert Dampf says right now legally the school can’t mandate the vaccine and says once the vaccine is given full authorization calling for a student mandate, well there’s still a legal loophole.

Cut 7 (09) “…reasons” 

The father of injured LSU quarterback Myles Brennan sheds light on his injury and his recovery. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

In a memo to season ticket holders, LSU says they continue to consult with campus and state health officials, and at this time, there are no plans to implement restrictions that could impact the game day experience. The school says they are preparing for a normal season inside Tiger Stadium. LSU’s home opener is September 11th versus McNeese.

The state reports another record-breaking high of COVID hospitalizations for the state at 2,350 an increase of 103 from Wednesday. This is the third day in a row hospitalizations have broken previous highs. On a positive note, at least two million individuals in the state have received at least one vaccine dose.

LSU Board Chairman Robert Dampf says the school is legally prohibited from mandating students take the COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says according to a tracking system they use for non-hospitalized patients he doesn’t see COVID case numbers letting up anytime soon. The system allows them to stay in contact with their COVID-positive patients who are recovering at home to see if their symptoms worsen, and they need to be admitted.

Cut 3 (08) “…escalate.” 

In the last week, Ochsner says their COVID hospitalizations increased by 73-percent.

Tiger fans learned this week of Myles Brennan’s arm injury which required surgery on his non-throwing arm Wednesday. Before Brennan was in the mix to be starting quarterback but Myles’ father Owen Brennan says even though the timeline for his son’s return is unknown, the plan now is to start rehab ASAP.

Cut 10 (10) “…two weeks.”

LSU’s first game is against UCLA September 4^th.

The Ochsner Health System confirmed reports more children are being hospitalized with COVID-19, even if the overall number is still relatively low. System Chair of Pediatrics Dr. William Lennarz says there has been a clear rise in COVID cases among children due to the Delta variant. He cited percent positivity among those 18 and younger…

Cut 13 (09) “…24 percent.”

With students set to return to school, along with faculty and staff, face their third pandemic impacted school year. President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Larry Carter says as cases increase among children due to the Delta variant there’s a heightened level of concern.

Cut 5 (11) “…those parents.”

The FDA is expected to give full approval next month to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adults.  Tulane School of Medicine Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says the FDA is also reviewing the lengthy package insert that will accompany the vaccine, which she says is very important for how companies could dictate their vaccine policies.

Cut 8 (11) “…to happen.” 

The Louisiana Lottery brought in a record-breaking 625 million dollars in revenue for the fiscal year that ended in July. Lotto spokesperson Kim Chopin says scratch-offs, in particular, saw a massive surge in interest, up nearly 70 million dollars in sales from last year.

Cut 10 (09) “…history.”

With students and teachers set to return to the classroom, there’s a heightened sense of concern this year as the delta variant is impacting more children. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

___________________________________

The FDA is expected to give full authorization for the Pfizer COVID vaccine next month, approximately nine months after it received Emergency Use Authorization. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_________________________________________

Louisiana Lottery sales shattered records in the last fiscal year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

_______________________________

With students set to return to school, along with facility and staff, they will face their third pandemic impacted school year. President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Larry Carter says members have mixed emotions about returning, excitement…

Cut 4 (08) “…the game.”

Carter says because a majority of school systems handled COVID mitigation well last year he’s confident they will continue to do so, however with an increase in cases among children due to the Delta variant there’s a heightened level of concern among parents.

Cut 5 (11) “…those parents.”

LEAP Test schools released this week show students perform better when they are in a physical classroom versus virtual learning. Carter says it’s imperative that more people be vaccinated in order to keep each other safe and students in the classroom.

Cut 6 (09) “…vaccine is.”

Carter says a poll among national members indicates more than 90-percent are vaccinated for COVID and an estimated 80-percent of facility and staff are vaccinated in Louisiana.

_____________________

The FDA is expected to give full approval next month to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adults, upgrading it from its current Emergency Use Authorization.  Tulane School of Medicine Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says they are reviewing things like storage, dosing, and distribution data.

Cut 7 (09) “…full authorization.”

Hassig says the FDA is also reviewing the lengthy package insert that will accompany the vaccine, which she says is very important for how companies could dictate their vaccine policies.

Cut 8 (11) “…to happen.” 

What makes this authorization process different from other FDA approvals Hassig says is because we are in a pandemic and most medications, etc. would only receive full approval after a lengthy process and not a EUA. So, the FDA reviewed preliminary data from the vaccine clinical trials and issued EUA.

Cut 9 (09) “…this vaccine.”

The FDA is reportedly aiming to grant full approval by Labor Day or sooner.

_____________________________________

The Louisiana Lottery brought in a record-breaking 625 million dollars in revenue for the fiscal year that ended in July.

Lotto spokesperson Kim Chopin says scratch-offs, in particular, saw a massive surge in interest, up nearly 70 million dollars in sales from last year.

Cut 10 (09) “…history.”

35 cents of every dollar spent on Lotto games go towards funding K-12 education. Chopin says over 207 million dollars was raised for public education in the last fiscal year, up 28 million from last year.

Cut 11 (11) “…education.”

Chopin says the pandemic clearly had a big impact on sales. She says they certainly picked up a few players who were unable to gamble at casinos.

Cut 12 (10) “…buisinesses.” 

_____________________________________

The Ochsner Health System confirmed reports that more children are being hospitalized with COVID-19, even if the overall number is still relatively low.

System Chair of Pediatrics Dr. William Lennarz says there has been a clear rise in COVID cases among children due to the Delta variant. He cited percent positivity among those 18 and younger…

Cut 13 (09) “…24 percent.”

Lennarz says it is important to note that while there has been an uptick in child hospitalizations, they aren’t seeing a “tremendous” number of critically ill children right now…

Cut 14 (11) “…week or so.”

Lennarz says the average age of pediatric patients that they are seeing with COVID dropped from 16 in June to 12 in July. That’s because now children under 12 are most “at-risk”.

Cut 15 (08)“…not vaccinated.”

But Lennarz cautioned that so far the data indicates that children do not appear to be proportionately more severely affected by the Delta variant.

______________________________

With the injury to Myles Brennan, LSU’s quarterback battle is decided as Max Johnson has been named the starter. But there are other key position battles as the Tigers report for preseason camp today.  Tiger Rag Assistant Editor William Weathers says one of the more competitive battles will be at linebacker.

Cut 16 (19) “…cohesion and how to work together.”

The safety spot is a position with plenty of talent but not much experience.  Weathers says you could see some young guys step up in the secondary.

Cut 17 (18) “…Langlois.” 

Defensive line should be one of the deepest positions for the Tigers in 2021 and Weathers expects a heavy rotation of players on the D-Line…

Cut  18 (24)”…full season.”

LSU announces unvaccinated students will be required to test monthly for COVID during the fall semester. While some professors have asked LSU leadership to make vaccines mandatory System President William Tate is only recommending that students get vaccinated

Cut 15 (09) “…kind of activities.” 

Grambling State University is utilizing federal pandemic recovery funds to pay off 1.5 million dollars in student account balances that accrued from spring 2020 through the summer of 2021. Associate VP of Finance Sheliah Faucette says these fees and balances that are being paid off are not the same as student loans.

Cut 8 (11) “…loan”

An early morning crash in St. Tammany Parish claims the lives of two young girls and leaves two others hospitalized. Saint Tammany Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Captain Lance Vitter says the one-vehicle accident on Guste Island Road west of Madisonville happened shortly after midnight and two young girls were pronounced dead on the scene.

Cut 9 (12) “…community”

NOAA has revised its hurricane forecast for this season and it’s now calling for 15-to-21 named storms, seven to ten hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes. NOAA’s lead seasonal hurricane forecaster Matthew Rosencrans says the potential return of a La Nina favors storm development…

Cut 4 (08) “…storms” 
The 2021 season has already produced five named storms.

The state reports 2,247 COVID hospitalizations today, topping yesterday’s all-time record and under 48-uhundred new cases and 44 fatalities.

COVID has been historically associated with cough, fever, and shortness of breath, but these days in the Delta surge more and more people are suffering symptoms that you wouldn’t expect. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Matt Doyle”  

An early morning crash in St. Tammany Parish claims the lives of two teens and leaves two others hospitalized. Saint Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Captain Lance Vitter says the four young girls were occupants of a 2019 Honda Civic that left the roadway, struck two trees, a telephone pole, and other stationary objects. Vitter says it’s unknown if one of the fatalities included the driver of the vehicle.

Cut 10 (08) “…horrific.”

The tropics have been quiet lately, but NOAA’s climate prediction center still predicts an above-average hurricane season with 15 to 21 named storms. In May NOAA predicted 13 to 20 named storms. But lead seasonal hurricane forecaster Matthew Rosencrans says that’s not the 30 named storms recorded during the historic 2020 season…

Cut 5 (12) “…last year.”