280 Louisianans have tested positive for COVID-19, 196 of those in Orleans Parish and the number of cases is expected to rise sharply as a backlog of tests come in. Governor Edwards warns a shelter in place order may be necessary.
Cut 13 (11) “place.”
Several cities and counties nationwide have ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses for a lengthy period.

Chair of the Global Community Health Department of Tulane’s School of Public Health Doctor Richard Oberhelman says Mardi Gras played a role in the spread of the virus and hand contamination is likely to have been the main culprit of the spread…
cut 5 (08) “….to somebody else”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has asked the public that if they see price gouging, they should call the police. He’s also asking residents, especially seniors, that there are scam artists out there too…
cut 12 (12) “….our hotline”
That number is 1-800-351-4889.

Blood centers are reporting that the COVID-19 crisis is causing a critical shortage of blood donations. Lifeshare spokesperson Ben Prijatel says March is usually a busy month for blood centers, but…
Cut 7 (07) “…as well.”
Prijatel is urging the public to donate blood at one of their local centers and he says they do practice social distancing during the donation process.

As the number of COVID-19 cases rises in Louisiana the Governor says the state is looking at all of its options to respond to the potentially impending healthcare emergency…
Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

House Republican Whip Steve Scalise has decided to self-quarantine after fellow Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida tested positive for COVID-19. Scalise said he had a lengthy meeting with him late last week.

An eighth person in Louisiana has died from the coronavirus, as St. James Parish hospital announces a patient over the age of 60, who had underlying health conditions succumbed to the virus.

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.”
In a Facebook video post, Congressman Clay Higgins questioned whether Edwards’s order limiting public gatherings could be enforced.

New Orleans is the epicenter of the coronavirus spread in Louisiana. Out of the 280 cases, 196 are in Orleans Parish and there’s 45 more in Jefferson Parish. Chair of the Global Community Health Department of Tulane’s School of Public Health Doctor Richard Oberhelman says Mardi Gras parades possibly played a role…
cut 6 (09) “….lead to spread”

The coronavirus count this morning is 280 cases in Louisiana and eight deaths. An eighth patient died in St. James Parish last night and we now have two cases in Lafayette Parish. There are 196 cases in New Orleans, making it the second-highest city, per capita, behind Seattle. Chair of the Global Community Health Department of Tulane’s School of Public Health Doctor Richard Oberhelman says Mardi Gras celebrations provided the fuel for the virus to spread…
cut 4 (05) “…was being transmitted”

Governor John Bel Edwards is warning Louisiana residents that we should expect to see a surge in cases as the state gets back the results of more than one-thousand tests. The governor also says there’s a need for healthcare workers…
cut 15 (08) “…task”

Earlier this week Republican Congressman Clay Higgins posted a video on his Facebook page slamming the governor for shutting down restaurants, bars and fitness clubs. There’s also a church leader in East Baton Rouge Parish who is defying the governor’s order of no more than 50 people at a public gathering. But Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry backs the governor on this issue. He says Edwards has the authority to restrict public gatherings and the order can be enforced…
cut 11 (12) “…the public”

The Life Tabernacle Church in Central is continuing with its normal services, despite regularly attracting a crowd of over 1100. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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The state reports three more deaths and 60 more coronavirus cases today in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports that brings our total to 257…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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A capital region church is continuing to hold services as normal, defying the ban of gatherings of 50 or more people. Rev. Tony Spell says police have shown up after services at the Life Tabernacle Church in Central telling them next time it’ll be the National Guard that will disband the gathering.

Cut 3 (11)  “…enforce upon us.”  

The church had an attendance of over 1,100 from 5 parishes on Sunday, which is about normal.

Spell says they are not pressuring the congregation to show up and says the church also does not have the technology to conduct services remotely.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…that others may.”

Spell believes the virus is politically motivated, adding the church will not have its freedom of assembly taken away.

Cut 5 (08)  “…back to normal.”

The church’s most recent service on Tuesday night drew over 300 people.
___________________________________________

Congress is working on a massive economic stimulus package that will result in Americans receiving a direct payment from the federal government. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the goal is for the first check to be issued April 6th

Cut 6 (07) “…is going.”

The amounts would depend on income and family and the two potential cash infusions will cost 250-billion dollars each.

Cassidy says the federal government is also working to get more testing kits out, so more people can be tested. A drive-thru testing site in Baton Rouge had to suspend operations yesterday after it ran out of testing kits. He says finding out who has the virus is critical to stopping the spread…

Cut 7 (05) “…get better”

Cassidy, a doctor, says he supports Governor Edwards’ dramatic measures to close down schools, restaurants and bars. He’s been in contact with hospitals to make sure they are ready as the virus is showing no signs of slowing down…

Cut 8 (15) “…bed capaicty.”

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The Department of Children and Family Services has seen a doubling in the usual number of food stamp applications.

DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says part of the surge in applications is likely because people think the program is being expanded as it does in natural disasters, but that’s not the case…

Cut 9 (14) “…SNAP″

SNAP sends benefits to roughly 770,000 Louisiana residents currently.

Despite the increased work needed to process all the new applications, Walters does not foresee any disruptions to the usual distribution calendar.

Cut 10 (09) “office”

If you’re one of those new applicants, Walters says the best way to find out about benefits is to text to 898-211, or…

Cut 11 (11) “concerns”

_________________________________

The number of coronavirus cases is up to 257 in Louisiana and two more patients died this morning at the Lambeth House, a retirement facility in New Orleans. A third fatality today has been reported today in Jefferson Parish bringing our total to seven. Governor Edwards says health experts estimate the state has two weeks to minimize the spread of the coronavirus

Cut 12 (15) “…health care”

Edwards continues to implore Louisiana residents to wash their hands frequently and practice social distancing.

The governor expects the number of coronavirus cases to increase dramatically over the next 24 to 36 as the state plans to receive about a thousand tests results…

Cut 13 (11) “…from that”

Edwards says if you believe you should be tested and don’t have a primary physician, please dial the state’s coronavirus hotline, 2-1-1.

The governor also says he’s requested Small Business Administration disaster loan assistance for all 64 parishes and he’s suspended eviction and foreclosure notices for now to prevent homelessness

Cut 14 (06) “…make their payments.”

There are now 240 known coronavirus cases across 13 parishes in Louisiana as the total number of cases rose by nearly 50 this morning. The death toll remains at four. Governor John Bel Edwards will provide an update at 12:30 today.

The restaurant industry is feeling the impact of the fight against COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Congress is working on a massive economic stimulus package that will result in Americans receiving a direct payment from the federal government. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the goal is for the first check to arrive by the end of the first week of April…
cut 6 (07) “….is going”
Speculation out of Washington D-C says the first check could be around one-thousand dollars.

Many people are out of work as a result of the coronavirus and Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says the number of unemployment claims has tripled…
cut 11 (10) “….as well”
You can file a claim at Louisiana-works-dot-net-slash-hire. If your work hours have been reduced or your workplace has been closed temporarily than you could be eligible for up to 247-dollars a week.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy said on a conference call with reporters this morning that Americans could receive a check from the federal government by April. And a second check would follow six to eight weeks later. Cassidy says the Coronavirus checks are part of a large economic stimulus package Congress is considering….
cut 5 (10) “…etcetera”

Thousands of Louisianans are not getting paid as a result of the coronavirus. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says if your work hours have been reduced, if your workplace closed temporarily or if you have been instructed to go home and are not getting paid, then you may be eligible for up to 247-dollars a week in benefits…
cut 10 (08) “…abide by”
You can file a claim at Louisiana-works-dot-net-slash-hire or call 1-866-783-5567.

Since Governor John Bel Edwards has shut down dining at restaurants, many establishments have changed their menus and providing take out and delivery service. President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says L-R-A-dot-org is a valuable resource for industry workers impacted by the outbreak and more information will be coming soon for consumers trying to find open restaurants…
cut 9 (09) “….times a day”

The state capitol is free from lawmakers as the 2020 regular session is on a hiatus until at least March 31st. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says when they return, they’ll need to work on passing a budget by July 1st…
cut 14 (10) “…to a halt”
The legislative session is set to end on June 1st.

We’re about an hour away from the state department of health updating the number of coronavirus cases in Louisiana. We entered today with 196 cases and four deaths. The New Orleans area remains the epicenter. 136 cases in Orleans Parish and 35 in Jefferson Parish. The number of cases is expected to rise.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says social distancing is the best weapon against COVID-19…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Many people are out of work as a result of the business closures and Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says the number of unemployment claims has tripled…
cut 11 (10) “….as well”
You can file a claim at Louisiana-works-dot-net-slash-hire. If your work hours have been reduced, partial benefits could be available to up to a maximum of 247-dollars a week.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says committee hearing dates are set and bills are ready to move when the legislative session is scheduled to resume on March 31. Schexnayder says he and Senate President Page Cortez have worked on a contingency plan in the event that COVID-19 slows down things even more, but he does not foresee that being an issue.
Cut 13 (04) “people’s jobs done.”

Unemployment insurance claimants will no longer have to wait a week from their last check to file, and requirements for keeping benefits are being relaxed. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The restaurant industry is having to adjust to the precautionary closings of dining areas. President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says there is a fear of the unknown and questions remain as to how long this could last.
Cut 7 (06) “…part of it.”

The federal government is looking at passing an economic stimulus package that would help workers and businesses as a result of the partial economic shutdown because of the spread of the coronavirus. Emergency checks for Americans is a possibility and the overall economic aid package could approach one trillion dollars. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says this must be done and can be done…
cut 6 (06) “…higher”

Meanwhile, state lawmakers are back in their districts as they wait to resume the 2020 regular session on March 31st. The session is set to end June 1st and a budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1st must be passed. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’s not too concerned about the number of days that will be left to conduct the remainder of the session…
cut 15 (10) “…people of Louisiana”