The state is monitoring an alarming trend of COVID-19 case numbers increasing among 18 to 29-year-olds in the state. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”
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A Monday crash claims the lives of five people in Avoyelles Parish after a pickup truck crosses the centerline, slamming head-on into an oncoming van. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Young people ages 18 to 29 lead the state in positive COVID-19 cases for a total of just under nine thousand. That’s approximately 19-hundred more than those 60 and older. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billoux says the uptick could due to the age group returning the workforce or a misconception about the virus.
Due to an outbreak of more than 100 cases linked to Tigerland Bars near the LSU campus, Fred’s bar will offer testing to college students on Thursday in the parking lot.
Billoux says the increase among 18 to 29-year-olds is concerning because of the impact they can have on their families.
Cut 4 (08)_ “…across our state”
Hospitalizations increased from the previous day by 16 for a total of 646 and vent usage is up by 14 for a total of 83. Billoux says the upward trend is concerning.
Cut 5 (08) “…healthcare capacities”
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Five people are dead and six others are injured following a three-vehicle crash on LA Highway 29 in Avoyelles Parish. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says it started when a Ford pickup driven by 21-year-old Derrick Kyle, Jr., of Cottonport crossed the centerline, striking an oncoming van.
Cut 6 (12) “…could have happened.”
Kyle and 20-year-old Jada Cook of Marksville were both killed. A third truck passenger, a juvenile, sustained serious injuries.
After the initial collision and both vehicles came to a stop in the highway, a Toyota Corolla struck the van, with the driving sustaining minor injuries. Wallace says the van that was hit head-on was carrying seven passengers.
Cut 7 (08) “…a local hospital.”
Those victims were identified as 60-year-old Steven Freeman and 55-year-old Hayward Petre, Jr., both of Ville Platte, as well as 50-year-old Jacoby Mayes of Eunice.
Troop E Troopers have investigated 25 fatal crashes resulting in 31 fatalities so far in 2020. Wallace says the message to the public is just to keep aware of what is going on when you are on the road.
Cut 8 (07) “…of your surroundings.”
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports a third straight month of over-the-year increases in fishing license sales. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the uptick began in the days following the Governor’s stay at home order in March.
Cut 9 (10) “…engaging in fishing.”
Over 51,000 fishing licenses were sold in May 2020 compared to over 38,000 in May 2019. June is currently on track to continue the sales trend.
McClinton says fishing is a great activity to remain social while keeping a distance from others.
McClinton says the purchase of a license will not break the bank and can be done at one of the LDWF’s approved vendors or online at WLF.LA.gov.
Cut 11 (05) “…your actual license.”
Funding from the license sales goes toward safety enforcement on the waterways, biological testing on fish and wildlife, fighting invasive vegetation and other programs.
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Senator Bill Cassidy says Congress is working on another round of federal economic relief but feels the 600 dollar a week federal unemployment benefit must be changed.
Cassidy says the unemployed must not be allowed to collect more in unemployment benefits than they made at their last job.
Cassidy says one of his constituents says the unemployment benefits are making it difficult to staff their business as the economy begins to reopen.
Cassidy says instead of pushing for additional federal benefits he’d like to see unemployed workers moved into job openings that are becoming available.