The number of coronavirus cases shot up to 479 in Louisiana today. That’s up from 392 yesterday. Orleans Parish has 299, Jefferson has 90, Caddo 13 and St. Tammany 10. The state health department says a reported death at a St. Tammany parish hospital is a Mississippi resident. The number of Louisiana patients who have died is ten.

Governor John Bel Edwards warns Louisiana’s healthcare system could be overwhelmed within the next seven to ten days by COVID-19 cases without federal assistance. Edwards says the state’s trajectory of case growth is on the same path as Italy.
Cut 10 (10) “making that.”
Edwards is concerned about not having enough health care workers, hospital beds and ventilators.

The state Office of Behavioral Health has set up a hotline for residents who are dealing with high stress and anxiety levels as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Keeping Calm Through COVID hotline is 1-866-310-7977. Medical Director for the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health Doctor James Hussey says while we are all on alert for symptoms of the coronavirus, undue stress can also cause physical symptoms that many do not realize are side effects of anxiety…
cut 5 (12) “….if you will”

Stress levels are rising for crawfish farmers, who are seeing slow sales as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Vermilion Parish farmer Christian Richard urges people to buy crawfish…
cut 8 (10) “…to accommodate you”

In about ten days Louisiana has gone from zero known cases of coronavirus to about 400, with the New Orleans area being the largest hot spot. Governor John Bel Edwards says under a worst-case scenario the state’s health care system in southeast Louisiana will be overwhelmed. He says there’s a need for more medical staff, ventilators, masks and hospital beds. Edwards says they’ve asked for help, but…
cut 11 (10) “…country”
New Orleans now rivals Seattle in per capita cases of COVID-19.

Saints Coach Sean Payton is the first person from the NFL to test positive for COVID-19. Payton said he started not feeling well on Sunday. The 56-year-old does not have a high fever or respiratory issues and he’ll spend the next few days quarantined at home.

The state is offering free mental health counseling to help people manage anxiety from the COVID-19 crisis. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Crawfish sales are way down as restaurants are prohibited from having dine-in sales and officials have asked people not to get together in large groups. Vermilion Parish farmer Christian Richard says the governor should allow food stamp recipients to use their benefits to buy crawfish…
cut 9 (08) “….up more business”

Governor John Bel Edwards delivers a sober analysis of where the New Orleans area may be heading under current worst-case projections…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Nearly 400 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Louisiana, as the number of cases rose by over 100 yesterday. The state is reporting ten people have died, but WWL-TV is reporting an eleventh death, the first one from St. Tammany Parish.

The crawfish industry is suffering major losses as the state goes into partial shutdown during the heart of the crawfish season. Vermilion Parish farmer Christian Richard says Lent is their best time of the year, but sales are way down because of restaurant closings and social distancing…
Cut 7 (09) “…to wind down.”
Richard says some people are buying sacks of crawfish to boil at home, but it’s a small amount.

Some state parks are being used to house people who have symptoms associated with Coronavirus and they are awaiting a positive test result. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the use of individual cabins is a better idea than using hotel rooms for the same purpose…
cut 14 (13) “…use it again”

Governor John Bel Edwards warns Louisiana’s healthcare system could be overwhelmed within the next seven to ten days by COVID-19 cases without federal assistance. Edwards says the state’s trajectory of case growth is on the same path as Italy.
Cut 10 (10) “making that.”
Italy has surpassed China to lead the world in COVID-19 related deaths at 3,405. Coronavirus has claimed ten lives in Louisiana and WWL-TV reports St. Tammany Parish has its first death. Edwards is concerned about not having enough health care workers, hospital beds and ventilators and expressed that concern with the President during a video conference call with other governors.

There are 392 cases of coronavirus in Louisiana. Rapides Parish recorded its first case yesterday.

The state is offering free counseling for anyone experiencing stress or anxiety from the COVID-19 outbreak. Medical Director for the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health Dr. James Hussey says the line is open 24 hours a day with trained counselors.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…if necessary.”
The phone number is 1-866-310-7977.

Crawfish farmers say COVID-19 could not have come at a worse time…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

392 people in Louisiana have tested positive for the coronavirus including Saints Coach Sean Payton and state Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson. Ten people have died from the virus and Governor John Bel Edwards says under a worst-case scenario, Louisiana is seven to ten days away from having its health care system overwhelmed as the cases continue to soar in the New Orleans area…
cut 12 (14) “…population”
Orleans Parish is home to 249 confirmed cases, 69 in Jefferson Parish.

Three state parks are being used to isolate people who are awaiting their coronavirus test results. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says the test subjects are from nursing homes, the homeless, and people who do not have anywhere else to go.
Cut 13 (10) “to be treated.”

The state is offering free mental health counseling to help people manage anxiety from the COVID-19 crisis. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Twenty-six of the state’s 64 parishes are reporting cases. Orleans and Jefferson Parishes are the top two. Following them its St. Tammany and Caddo. Each has 10.

Saints head coach Sean Payton becomes the first person in the NFL to be diagnosed with the coronavirus. Payton reports not feeling well and being fatigued, but not having a fever or persistent cough. He says he plans to self-quarantine and recover.
These are tough times for Louisaina and the United States, but LSU Coach Ed Orgeron has these words of encouragement…
cut 18 (10) “….we will win”
Orgeron had the opportunity to sit in on Governor Edwards’s Unifed Command Group as they discussed the state’s response to the coronavirus.

The Saints announced today that they have signed defensive tackle David Onyemata to a three-year contract. The four-year NFL vet started in 15 games last season and had three sacks and one pass defensed. He helped New Orleans rank fourth in run defense.

New Orleans has also confirmed they’ve inked long-snapper Zach Wood to a four-year contract. Veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins is also returning to the Saints on a four-year deal. The former first-round draft pick helped the Black and Gold win a Super Bowl. He also earned a ring with the Eagles.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankley is leaving the door open that spring football might continue later this spring. But he admits there’s a narrow chance of it happening as the cases of coronavirus continues to pile up and health officials are recommending social distance as one of the best weapons to fight off the disease.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is still hopeful the 2019-20 season can resume this year. With postseason play possible this summer, it could result in the league permantly shifting its schedule, so that it starts in December, instead of October.

In other NFL news…the Rams have decided to release Todd Gurley and lienbacker Clay Matthews in an effort to clear up some salary cap space. Gurley is a former NFL Offensive Player of the Year but he’s never really been the same since a knee injury late in the 2018 season.

The Rams have re-signed former LSU Tiger and West Monroe standout Andrew Whitworth. Whitworth is 38-years-old and has spent the last three seasons as the left tackle for the Rams. Prior to that, he spent 11 years with the Bengals.

The state is reporting eight deaths and 347 positive coronavirus cases an increase of 67 from yesterday. There are four new parishes reporting cases, West Baton Rouge, St. James, Plaquemines, and Lafayette. Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory called a press conference last night to announce their first positive cases…
Cut 6 (11) “…national leaders”
There are two cases in Lafayette Parish. New Orleans leads the state with 231 positive tests for coronavirus. Governor Edwards warns a shelter in place order may be necessary where community spread is significant…
Cut 13 (11) “place.”

Some say the Governor is overstepping his authority by closing some businesses and limiting public gatherings. But during a coronavirus media briefing, Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry said John Bel Edwards has the authority.
Cut 10 (14) “is yes.”
Congressman Clay Higgins has questioned whether Edwards’s order limiting public gatherings could be enforced.

The price of oil is hovering in the mid 20 dollars a barrel, prices not seen since the early 2000s. The price collapse is hammering the energy industry, and Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says this will have a direct effect on industry workers.
Cut 3 (11) “…unsettling.”

With coronavirus cases rising, Louisiana is using State Parks as a place for coronavirus patients to stay in isolation when they can’t live at home because of elderly relatives or other reasons. Governor John Bel Edwards says they already have 10 coronavirus patients at Bayou Segnette in Jefferson Parish…
cut 14 (11) “….the state”

Republican Congressman Clay Higgins has slammed the governor for shutting down restaurants, bars and fitness clubs. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says Edwards has the legal right to restrict public gatherings and the order should be enforced…
cut 11 (12) “…the public”

The state’s largest blood center, Lifeshare, reports they are running low on blood due to a lack of donations. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

State Police is investigating a deadly officer-involved shooting in the Acadia Parish town of Iota. L-S-P says Iota officers were dispatched to a home last night where they encountered a male subject seated in a vehicle and armed with a firearm. Authorities say during the encounter, the subject was shot by at least one officer and died from his injuries at a local hospital.