The latest Department of Health numbers indicate the state’s COVID-19 fatalities have hit 1,103 with 90 new deaths reported. New cases are up 433 to 21,951. Hospitalizations down 34 to 1,943. Ventilator usage is down as well by 11 to 425.

Republican lawmakers are concerned that Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s plan for Louisiana’s presidential primary is too broad, allowing anyone over the age of 18 to vote by mail. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The governor’s current stay at home order lasts through April 30th and Governor John Bel Edwards has indicated he could extend it. He says when the green light is given to open up more businesses, social distancing will continue, along with other measures…

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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state is working on a set of guidelines to potentially get restaurants and other service industry businesses open in May. Nungesser adds that even if we start reopening service industry businesses, it’s unlikely we will see many out of state people coming to visit them for a while.

Cut 14 (10) “…gone away”

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee has asked Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin to revise his plan for the July 11th presidential primary over concerns that his proposal that expands mail-in voting to too many people. Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan says the more people who can vote by mail, the greater chance for fraud

Cut 3 (06)  “…than ever”  

St. John the Baptist remains one of the highest county/parishes per capita in COVID-19 deaths largely because of an outbreak at a veterans’ home in Reserve that’s claimed 16. Deputy Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Julie Baxter-Payer says all of their facilities have been inspected by state and federal health officials, and they’re doing everything they can to keep residents safe while supporting them emotionally.

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Governor Edwards says Louisiana will make more medical services available when the state begins the transition of reopening the economy. Elective surgeries such as colonoscopies and arthroscopic surgery are not allowed under the stay at home order, but the governor says you can only postpone those procedures for so long…

Cut 9 (09) “rather than later ″

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state is working on a set of guidelines to potentially get restaurants and other service industry businesses open in May. But Nungesser warns that even if we do reopen next month an estimated 5.9 million tourism-related jobs will have already been lost nationwide.

Cut 13 (09) “…towards that”

The latest Department of Health report indicates the state’s COVID-19 fatalities have hit 1,103 with 90 new deaths reported. New cases: up 433 to 21,951. Hospitalizations down 34 to 1,943. Ventilator usage is down by 11 to 425.

16 residents at a veterans’ home in Reserve have died of COVID-19, an outbreak that is driving St. John the Baptist Parish’s high per capita death rate. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin informed lawmakers today on his plan to push Louisiana’s presidential primary and other local elections until July. The presidential primary was originally set for April, then delayed until June and now Ardoin has set a July 11th election date with an expanded 13-day early voting period. Ardoin says the expansion of absentee ballot voting should not be confused with a universal vote by mail system, but adds the qualifications for absentee voting broadens the availability to include…

Cut 5 (06)  “…transmission of COVID-19.”

Governor Edwards says Louisiana will make more medical services available when the state begins the transition of reopening the economy. Edwards says when the green light is given to open up more businesses, social distancing will continue, adding the new normal will also have reduced occupancy limits…

Cut 11 (10) “…go into this”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin informed lawmakers today on his plan to push Louisiana’s presidential primary and other local elections until July. The presidential primary was originally set for April, then delayed until June and now Ardoin has set a July 11th election date with an expanded early voting period…

Cut 3 (10)  “…themselves.”  

St. John the Baptist remains one of the highest county/parishes per capita in COVID-19 deaths largely because of an outbreak at a veterans home in Reserve that’s killed 16. Deputy Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Julie Baxter-Payer says the facility saw its first resident show symptoms March 19^th, and…

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The statewide stay home order was put into place March 22^nd.

The Governor’s current stay at home order lasts through April 30^th but Edwards has indicated he could extend it. He says when the green light is given to open up more businesses, social distancing will continue, along with other measures…

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Any limited opening would also require businesses to demand limited occupancy.

The Center for Reproductive Rights is suing Louisiana for the state’s attempts to close abortion clinics as part of a shutdown of all services deemed non-essential. Kathleen Pittman, administrator for the Shreveport Clinic, says her facility should not be closed because it is compliant with safety measures designed to restrict the spread of coronavirus.

Cut 8 (08) “…issued.”

Ohio, Oklahoma, and Alabama have had similar suits filed against them.

Governor Edwards says Louisiana will make more medical services available when the state begins the transition of reopening the economy. Elective surgeries such as colonoscopies and arthroscopic surgery are not allowed under the stay at home order, but the governor says you can only postpone those procedures for so long…
Cut 9 (09) “rather than later ″
The governor’s current stay at home order lasts through April 30th and Edwards has indicated he could extend it.

The Department of Corrections has created a review panel that will determine if certain inmates nearing the end of their sentence should be released in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus within jails.  1,200 inmates are eligible for the program.  Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says if an inmate is furloughed, they will not have the same freedoms as someone being released.
Cut 12 (07) “of the furlough.”
Reviews begin Friday.

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell recommends no more festivals for the remainder of 2020 due to the coronavirus. When asked what this means for the Saints, Cantrell says she doesn’t think anyone has a clue right now. Cantrell cites the economic and cultural significance of the Saints, and says they are working to do everything in their power to make it work as it is too important for the city. Organizers behind Essence Fest which is typically held in July at the Superdome has announced the events cancellation. Cantrell expressed concern over not only the local efforts to flatten the curve, but how other states where visitors live are preventing further spread.
Congressman Ralph Abraham and the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team will take to the skies over Monroe and West Monroe in aerial tribute to first responders and healthcare workers.  Abraham says a team pilot contacted him about performing the tribute after the area was impacted by Sunday’s tornado outbreak.
Cut 4 (12)_ “…in the backseat.”

The flyover will take place at 1pm this afternoon.

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell recommends no more festivals for the remainder of 2020 due to the coronavirus. If that becomes a reality, it would mean the cancellation or postponement of events such as Jazzfest, Essence Fest, French Quarter Fest, and Voodoo Experience. Cantrell expressed concern over not only the local efforts to flatten the curve, but how other states where visitors live are preventing further spread.

National Weather Service indicates at least seven tornadoes ravaged north Louisiana and that number is expected to grow. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

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There’s activity underway again at the PMAC on LSU’s campus but it’s not the norm. Ashley Arceneaux, Chief of Staff for the LSU President says the university community is working together to support medical providers and the facility has become a production center for PPE, like reusable gowns from billboard vinyl with locally donated materials.

Cut 3 (10)  “…themselves.”  

Arceneaux says the vinyl is donated by Lamar Advertising and Circle Graphics.

LSU Health New Orleans has enrolled its first patient in a clinical trial that will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine alone or with Azithromycin as a treatment for COVID-19. Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Meredith Clement says they are enrolling patients who meet these criteria…

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The study may enroll up to 600 at University Medical Center, if they have enough patients eligible.

Louisiana hit a somber milestone today as it reported a single-day high 129 additional deaths from COVID-19, bringing the state’s death toll past a thousand to 1,013. Governor Edwards says the virus is nothing to mess with, so it’s incumbent that residents follow the Stay at Home order…

Cut 15 (06)“…the order”

There’s activity underway again at the PMAC on LSU’s campus but it’s not the norm. Ashley Arceneaux, Chief of Staff for the LSU President says the university community is working together to support medical providers and the facility has become a production center for PPE, like reusable gowns from billboard vinyl with locally donated materials. Arceneaux says the vinyl is donated by Lamar Advertising and Circle Graphics.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…frontline.”

The National Weather Service has confirmed at least seven tornadoes ravaged north Louisiana on Easter Sunday. N-W-S Meteorologist Brad Bryant says the most powerful twister started in West Monroe and traveled for about eight miles.Unlike neighboring Mississippi, Louisiana had no fatalities from the storm activity.  Bryant says it is surprising that there was no loss of life in the state.

Cut 8 (11) “…it’s a win.”

LSU Health New Orleans has enrolled its first patient in a clinical trial that will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine alone or with Azithromycin as a treatment for COVID-19. Patients will be sorted into three groups that either get the treatment or don’t, and Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Meredith Clement says once admitted…

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Patients receiving the treatment will do so for five days.

During today’s press briefing Gov Edwards says the majority of the deaths reported in today’s increase of 129 from COVID-19 did not occur in the last 24 hours. The toll now stands at 1,013.

The state health department says most deaths come eleven days after the onset of symptoms. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says if you are in a high-risk group, take extra precautions…

Cut 16 (14)  …people” 

Covington Representative Mark Wright is calling for the stay at home order to end April 30th so businesses can implement partial reopenings. He says those who are most vulnerable to the virus are aware and can make their own decisions.

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The PMAC at LSU is now producing reusable gowns and masks for healthcare workers instead of points on the scoreboard. Ashley Arceneaux, Chief of Staff for the LSU President says for health precautions no more than 40 employees can be in the PMAC at one time but says it’s a joint effort of hundreds of employees and outside vendors coming together for the greater good.

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The PPE will be distributed by GOHSEP.

The National Weather Service has confirmed at least seven tornadoes ravaged north Louisiana on Easter Sunday.  Unlike neighboring Mississippi, Louisiana had no fatalities from the storm activity.  N-W-S Meteorologist Brad Bryant says it is surprising that there was no loss of life in the state.

Cut 8 (11) “…it’s a win.”

Louisiana reports, by far, it’s single largest 24-hour increase in deaths today with 129 new COVID fatalities, bringing the state’s total fatalities to over 1,000. The jump is significant but Governor Edwards has cautioned in the past that these numbers do not reflect the total deaths over the past 24 hours, and many of these deaths likely occurred over the last week or more but are just not being marked as COVID until now.

The PMAC at LSU has turned into a production facility for PPE. Brooke Thorington explains.

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Covington Republican Representative Mark Wright is calling on Governor Edwards not to further extend the stay at home order that is set to end April 30^th. Wright says it’s an economic imperative that Louisiana being to reopen and says the state needs to look at easing restrictions like our neighbors in Texas and Oklahoma and starting May 1^st reopen as much as possible.

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Federal models call for the continuing of stay at home orders nationwide through May to avoid another major reoccurrence of COVID-19.

LSU Health New Orleans begins a clinical trial testing the effectiveness of using hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin on COVID patients. The combo has anecdotal reports of being an effective treatment, but Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Meredith Clement says the drugs are not without their side effects, so patients will be closely monitored.

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