The state health department reports there are 16-hundred COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide. That’s the highest it’s been in three months and many hospitals are facing staffing shortages because health care professionals are testing positive at a higher rate. Our Lady of the Lourdes C-M-O Doctor Henry Kaufman in Lafayette says when a healthcare worker contracts COVID it creates a large absence in the workplace.
Cut 11 (07) “then that”

SEC presidents and athletic directors will hold a series of virtual meetings next week to discuss fall sports plans. College football insider Brett McMurphy says because so many states are struggling to contain the coronavirus, it’s unlikely the college football season will kick off Labor Day weekend
Cut 13 (07) “…early October”

Bars in New Orleans can no longer sell alcoholic drinks to go as the city looks to slow the spread of the coronavirus. City officials have been concerned about the large crowds forming outside some establishments selling drinks to go. New restrictions have also been placed on social gatherings. New Orleans Health Director Doctor Jennifer Avegno says shutting down bars completely and limiting social gatherings is a necessary step to slowing the spread of the virus…
cut 14 (10) “…back to school”

And school is set to begin soon. The Louisiana Department of Health is trying to get the word out that some students need to get up to date on vaccinations. State Immunization Director Doctor Frank Welch…
cut 9 (11) “…routine care”
Welch says because of the pandemic, some parents have put off getting the necessary vaccinations.

Hospitals in Louisiana are facing staffing shortages due to COVID-19 and having trouble filling the void. Brooke Thorington has more.
cut 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The C-D-C has changed the guidelines for returning to work after a person tests positive for COVID. Instead of having to quarantine for 14 days, the C-D-C says a person can return to work after 10 days since the first symptoms and the CDC no longer recommends a person to get repeatedly tested before returning to work.

New Orleans is famous for its to-go cups, but you can not get one now in the Big Easy. The city has ordered bars completely closed and put further restrictions on gatherings. New Orleans Health Director Doctor Jennifer Avegno says the city has seen an unfavorable trend when it comes to its COVID-19 data
Cut 13 (12) “…community transmission”

Hanna has been upgraded to a Hurricane this morning as the Category One storm is set to make landfall later today along Texas’ southern coast. Southwest Louisiana is under a coastal flood advisory until noon and State Climatologist Barry Keim says Hanna will bring Louisiana waves of rain, so be prepared…
cut 4 (10) “…activity”
No flood watched are posted.

Starting today bars and restaurants are prohibited from selling takeout alcoholic beverages in New Orleans. Mayor LaToya Cantrell says this means bars are closed throughout Orleans Parish…
Cut 12 (09) “…large gatherings”
Cantrell says even though bars were banned from allowing on-site consumption of drinks, large lines were forming at establishments for take out orders and the crowds kept getting larger and larger.

With schools set to resume soon, state health officials are concerned many children are not up to date on their vaccinations. During the early portion of the pandemic, many elective medical procedures were put on hold and State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says that dropped the rate of vaccinations.
Cut 7 (05) “…had a pandemic.”
Welch says not every kid needs a vaccine every year and the best thing to do is to ask your child’s pediatrician what may be needed.

Louisiana’s Senior Senator Bill Cassidy will face 14 challengers in the November third primary. Matt Doyle was at the Secretary of State’s office when Cassidy filed his paperwork to officially qualify…
cut 1 (29) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

There are nine men and women seeking to replace Republican Ralph Abraham as Louisiana’s fifth district congressman. Louisiana’s four other Congressmen are all seeking re-election and face challengers, but none of them are well funded.

Governor John Bel Edwards has renewed the proclamation that extends Phase Two, which includes the statewide mask mandate and bar closures until August seventh. Edwards is once again asking residents to follow the mitigation measures that are in place…
cut 12 (10) “….do our part”
The state reported another 21-hundred coronavirus cases and an additional 30 deaths today to bring the state’s death toll to 3,604.

Senator John Kennedy says Senate Republicans are discussing another coronavirus relief package. This one would have a one-trillion dollar price tag and provide additional assistance for those unemployed. Kennedy says the bill would also contain money for public schools and it would contain language that he supports, giving states more autonomy on how they can use the share they receive…
cut 15 (08) “…90-plus points”

Qualifying for the November third election wraps up at 4:30 today. This morning Senator Bill Cassidy filed the necessary paperwork to be on the ballot. The doctor from Baton Rouge is seeking a second term and knows this campaign will be different because of COVID-19…
cut 8 (08) “…with people”
As of 2:30 this afternoon, 13 candidates have signed up to challenge Cassidy.

Tropical Storm Hanna is eyeing a landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas tomorrow, but it’s helping to produce showers and thunderstorms across south Louisiana. But State Climatologist Barry Keim is not expecting significant flooding
Cut 3 (11) “…handle it.”
A coastal flood advisory is in effect until tonight as minor coastal flooding is expected.

The Louisiana Health Department reported 2,142 new coronavirus cases today to bring the state’s total to 103-thousand. The death toll also rose by another 30 to 3,604. Hospitalizations also rose to 16-hundred. Several hospitals are reporting their I-C-U’s are filling up with COVID patients and staffing is also a problem. Doctor Henry Kaufman with Our Lady of the Lourdes in Lafayette…
cut 10 (07) “…physicans”
The state made a request to the federal government for 700 health care workers, but other states are facing similar situations.

Tropical Storm Hanna is gaining strength as it moves over the Western Gulf of Mexico and it’s set to make landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says coastal parishes can expect at least three inches of rain through Monday….
cut 5 (12) “…is possible”

The state’s senior Senator was in Baton Rouge today signing up to run for a second six-year term in office. Matt Doyle was there…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle

In St. John the Baptist Parish, Judge Jeff Perllioux, who is accused of molesting his teenage daughter’s friends, qualified for re-election today. Perllioux has been suspended since 2018, but has held on to his seat as he awaits on trial on three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and a sexual battery charge. Perilloux denies any wrongdoing.

Governor John Bel Edwards has renewed the proclamation that extends Phase Two, which includes the statewide mask mandate and bar closures until August seventh. Edwards is once again asking residents to follow the mitigation measures that are in place…
cut 12 (10) “….do our part”
Edwards renewed his proclamation on a day Louisiana surpassed 100-thousand coronavirus cases. The state is reporting over 15-hundred COVID-19 hospitalizations and nearly 200 of those patients are on a ventilator. Several hospitals have suspended elective surgeries again. Our Lady of the Lourdes CMO in Lafayette Doctor Henry Kaufman…
cut 6 (11) “….differed”

The state is reporting they’ve sent 127-million dollars in federal coronavirus relief aid to local governments for reimbursement of COVID-related expenditures. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…
Cut 7 (11) “…pandemic”
Other professional services and contracts for things like mental health counseling and financial consulting also applied.

The U-S Senate is about to begin debating the fifth coronavirus relief package, which will likely cost a trillion dollars. Senator John Kennedy expects there will be assistance for unemployed workers, but the benefits will not be at the same $600 per week level that it has been at.
Cut 13 (12) “…in their job.”
Not all Republican lawmakers are in agreement with the latest relief effort as some feel the cost is too much.

The state is now reporting 101-thousand coronavirus cases, becoming the 12th state to surpass 100-thousand cases and the smallest to do so population wise. There are some who suggest Louisiana is double-counting cases for people who test positive multiple times. Edwards says that’s not happening and called it a disinformation campaign aimed at minimizing how serious the situation is…
cut 11 (09) “…saying
The number of people hospitalized in Louisiana is up to 15-hundred and those on ventilators is close to 200. Our Lady of the Lourdes C-M-O Doctor Henry Kaufman says staffing is getting stretched thin at their Lafayette Hospital…
cut 5 (11) “…an issue”

Senator John Kennedy says the Senate is working on another coronavirus relief package that would extend enhanced unemployment benefits that are about to expire. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Meanwhile, Louisiana’s Senior Senator Bill Cassidy is set to qualify today for re-election as he’s seeking a second term. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins qualified yesterday providing Cassidy a serious challenger from the Democratic Party. Qualifying ends at 4:30 PM today.