There’s been another big jump in coronavirus cases and deaths. Louisiana health officials reported an additional 510 cases of COVID-19 today bringing the state’s total number to 2,305. Eighteen more people have died since yesterday’s update. The total number of fatalities is 83 and that includes a 17-year-old from Orleans Parish. That’s the first minor from Louisiana who has died from COVID-19.

Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham, who is also a physician in Richland Parish, is encouraging doctors to use experimental treatments on patients who have severe symptoms. President Donald Trump has touted n anti-malarial drug called Hydroxychloroquine. The treatment does not have FDA backing, but Abraham says anecdotally…
Cut 10 (08) “others.”
But the Kaiser Family Foundation says hydroxychloroquine should be a “drug of last resort” due to its side effects.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees helped the region recover from Hurricane Katrina now he’s trying to help residents who have been impacted economically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s donating five-million dollars so that 10-thousand meals per day can be delivered throughout Louisiana. Second Harvest Food Bank President Natalie Jayroe says this will help with feeding those that have lost employment and seniors who are finding it hard to buy food, plus…
Cut 13 (10) “…meals as schools.”

Four people in Baton Rouge have died after a car traveling at a high rate of speed crashed into a house. A two-year-old in the vehicle is one of the victims. Two other people in the car died and a person inside the home was also killed. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola is not sure why the three were driving around…
cut 7 (09) “….get through this”

Louisiana reported 407 new coronavirus cases yesterday and 19 more deaths, bringing the total to 1,795 positive cases and 65 fatalities. Governor John Bel Edwards says the state has yet to flatten the curve…
cut 10 (07) “…people”
Edwards says he’s concerned about not having enough ventilators, he says they are set to receive 300 more ventilators next week, but they might need 600 more.

The U-S Senate has approved a two-point-two trillion-dollar economic rescue package that will provide a direct check of 12-hundred dollars per adult for most Americans. Senator John Kennedy says the package also contains billions of dollars for large businesses…
cut 9 (13) “….rate of interest”
Kennedy says the total aid heading to Louisiana is one-point-eight billion dollars.

Baton Rouge native Philomena Martrain is one of many who is participating in a campaign called the million mask challenge. Hospitals are facing a shortage of N95 masks so regular citizens like Martrain are on their sewing machines making them. She watched how to make the masks on you-tube and bought some elastic bands at a dollar store…
cut 5 (11) “…I sew it”

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson’s teams are shut down, but she’s trying to help those impacted by COVID-19 through her Community Assistance Fund. Benson donated one million dollars to the fund and says she’s inspired by the charity and solidarity she’s seeing in New Orleans.
Cut 13 (09) “…come back.”
To hear the entire interview go to pelicans-dot-com.

Louisiana has 1,795 positive cases of Coronavirus and 65 deaths. Governor John Bel Edwards says the growth in cases is very alarming. The state health department says 491 of the patients are hospitalized and 163 of them are on ventilators. Edwards says the ventilator situation is concerning because many patients already rely on ventilators for other respiratory issues…
cut 11 (12) “…alarming”
Edwards says the only way for the state to flatten the curve is to adhere to his stay at home order and practice social distancing. Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson echos those remarks…
cut 15 (05) “…guidelines”
You can hear the entire interview with Benson at pelicans-dot-com.

Last night the U-S Senate approved a two-point-two trillion-dollar economic rescue package that will provide businesses, workers and the health care system with much-needed cash. Kevin Barnhart has more from Senator John Kennedy…
voicer 2 (32) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

And the two-point-two trillion-dollar relief bill will also provide one-time direct payments to Americans, 12-hundred dollars per adult for those that makeup to 75-thousand dollars a year.

The House is expected to vote on the measure tomorrow.

As the number of coronavirus cases soar in Louisiana, state officials are scrambling to find more ventilators. The state health department says 163 hospitalized patients are on ventilators and 300 new ventilators are expected to be in New Orleans by early next week, but Governor John Bel Edwards is still concerned…
cut 12 (10) “…as well”

The U-S Senate approved a massive two-point-two trillion-dollar stimulus package last night that will result in direct checks to most Americans. Senator John Kennedy says the legislation also contains 350-billion dollars for small businesses…
cut 8 (09) “…loan is forgivable”
The House is expected to vote on the measure on Friday.

With COVID-19 patients pushing hospitals closer to exceeding capacity and front line personnel running short on masks, seamstresses and hobbyists are volunteering their talents toward filling those voids in a campaign called the 100 million mask challenge. Philomena Martrain grew up in Baton Rouge and was visiting her parents when the stay at home order came down.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…things I have.”
Martrain picked up sewing masks techniques from YouTube tutorials and has scrounged together the materials for production, including elastic headbands from a dollar store.

President Trump has approved Governor Edwards request for a disaster declaration which means the feds will reimburse state and local governments for the costs of battling the coronavirus outbreak, so far the state has spent 71-million dollars. Edwards says residents need to do their job and that’s to follow his stay at home order…
cut 14 (11) “…flatten the curve”
Edwards is concerned the New Orleans area will surpass its medical capacity in early April.

Officials with Ochsner says they are treating 271 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and nearly 300 more patients who potentially have the virus. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart says they are redeploying some of their personnel…
cut 3 (10) “…these patients”
As COVID-19 takes a toll on our mental health a Clinical Psychologist from LSU Health New Orleans offers some coping skills.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

All Louisiana State Parks and State Historic sites have been temporarily closed to the public. LSU has announced May commencement ceremonies has been postponed. Governor John Bel Edwards was asked yesterday whether schools will re-open this year. Edwards says it’s his hope that they will.
cut 2 (05) “…the year”

President Trump has approved Governor Edwards request for a disaster declaration which means the feds will reimburse state and local governments for the costs of battling the coronavirus outbreak, so far the state has spent 71-million dollars. Edwards says residents need to do their job and that’s to follow his stay at home order…
cut 14 (11) “…flatten the curve”
Edwards is concerned the New Orleans area will surpass its medical capacity in early April.

With businesses shut down many are wondering how they’ll pay rent at the first of the month and some could also struggle to pay their mortgage. Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center spokesperson Maxwell Ciardullo says they are concerned about tsunami  of evictions when courts re-open and kicking people out of their homes is not a good idea during a public health crisis…
cut 11 (09) “….more quickly”

As COVID-19 takes a toll on our mental health a Clinical Psychologist from LSU Health New Orleans offers some coping skills.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

All Louisiana State Parks and State Historic sites have been temporarily closed to the public. LSU has announced May commencement ceremonies have been postponed. Governor John Bel Edwards was asked yesterday whether schools will re-open this year. Edwards says it’s his hope that they will.