The state is now reporting 1,795 positive cases of COVID-19 and the death toll has reached 65.  23 of the 65 deaths are less than 60 years old. Louisiana now that the third-highest rate of confirmed cases per capita. The Bayou State is also the fourth state to receive a federal disaster declaration due to the coronavirus. Governor Edwards requested the designation Tuesday night, adding Louisiana to a list that includes California, Washington, and New York.

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.”  

LSU Health Shreveport opens a COVID-19 test processing lab that at peak capacity will be able to process 1,000 tests a day with a turnaround of only 24-48 hours. Chief Innovation Officer Drew Mouton says two weeks ago they drew up plans for a facility that uses viral RNA extraction to generate tests that are among the most accurate in the world. 

Cut 7 (09) “…yesterday.”

Schools have been shut down for a week and a half and will remain that way at least until April 13. Many parents are wondering if their child will be able to advance to the next grade level or graduate from high school if classes do not resume or if the school calendar is shortened. Governor Edwards says the department of education is developing a plan…

Cut 10 (07) “…hopefully soon.”

The state now has 1,795 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 65 deaths. An increase of 407 cases in one day. The youngest death reported is age 36 and the oldest is 98.

Officials with Ochsner says they are treating 271 patients who have tested positive and nearly 300 more patients who potentially have the virus. CEO Warner Thomas says not only are they seeing more COVID-19 patients but their stay in the hospital is more extended.

Cut 5 (11)  “…in the ICU.”

Schools have been shut down for over a week and will remain closed at least until April 13th. Governor Edwards says they are looking at different options on when kids could go back to school, but for the time being…

Cut 9 (10) “…instructional materials″

Northwest Louisiana is now home to what will be one of the most prolific COVID-19 testing labs in the state thanks to LSU Health Shreveport… 

Cut 2 (32) “…” 

Governor Edwards is looking for options to unburden hospitals before they reach overflow of COVID-19 patients. Edwards says an official decision is expected to be announced in the next day or two. An option is moving people who are COVID-19 positive but aren’t in critical condition out of the hospitals and into other isolation facilities to recover to free up more hospital rooms and intensive care units for patients in urgent need.

65 people are dead from the state’s 1,795 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The total number of cases is a one-day rise of 407.
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 do have an adequate supply of personal protective equipment right but they have asked staff to use them conservatively.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…normally do.”
LSU Health Shreveport opens a COVID-19 test processing lab that at peak capacity will be able to process 1,000 tests a day with a turnaround of only 24-28 hours. Pathology Professor Dr. Chris Kevil says the lab is vital because one of the key ways to combat coronavirus is to test, test, test…
Cut 6 (11) “…the chain”
The lab will not gather samples on-site, it has samples shipped to them from other locations.

A housing crisis may be coming in the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo ” 

President Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for Louisiana as the state reports nearly 14-hundred coronavirus cases and 46 deaths. Governor Edwards is urging Louisiana residents that we need to flatten the curve in order to prevent medical facilities from being overwhelmed. His statewide “stay at home” order began Monday night and he’s encouraged by how serious the public has taken his call…
Cut 15 (12) “…people to comply.”

Louisiana residents are used to hunkering down for hurricanes but staying at home through April 13th because of a pandemic is a daunting task for most. LSU AgCenter registered dietitian Sandra May says it is important to stock up on nonperishables, but you may have to think outside the box for other items…
Cut 4 (13)_ “…from the shelves.”

A housing crisis may be coming in the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo ” 

Governor Edwards is also looking for options to unburden hospitals before they reach overflow of COVID-19 patients. Edwards said in a news conference Tuesday, and an official decision is expected to be announced in the next day or two. An option is moving people who are COVID-19 positive but aren’t in critical condition — out of the hospitals and into other isolation facilities to recover to free up more hospital rooms and intensive care units for patients in urgent need. Hotels and vacant college dorm rooms are among the options

The President has approved Governor Edwards request for major disaster declaration which allows for more resources to be available for the state. Edwards citied numbers showing the state has the third highest number of COVID-19 cases per capita and new projections that indicate the New Orleans area will run out of healthcare capacity by April 4th, and… 

Cut 13 (08) “…timeframe on that.”

Currently the state has just under 1,400 cases and 46 deaths.

Evictions and foreclosures may be on hold in Louisiana due to the shutdown of courts, but that situation doesn’t get tenants off the hook when it comes to paying rent or a mortgage. Spokesperson for the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center Maxwell Ciardullo  says the future seems dire without housing assistance from the federal relief bill being negotiated.

Cut 10 (11) “…open back up.”

A majority of workers in the state are working from home and some find themselves unemployed and/or caring for children at home now as schools are closed.  Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore with LSU Health New Orleans says as we undergo huge life changes, we must learn to be flexible during this uncertain time.

Cut 9 (08) “…unnaturally″

For free Counseling you can call the Louisiana Department of Health’s Keeping Calm Through COVID Hotline at 1-888-310-7977.

Louisiana residents are prepared for hunkering down for flooding and hurricanes but staying at home through April 13th can still feel like a daunting tasl  to prepare for. LSU AgCenter registered dietitian Sandra May says while it’s a good idea to have some snacks, May says it’s important not to go crazy with junk food.

Cut 5 (10)  “…things like that.”

46 people are dead from the state’s 1,388 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
In times of crisis, scam artists will prey on your emotions and wallet and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Cynthia Albert with the Better Business Bureau says if you have ordered something in the mail already, and it does show up she urges you not to use it because it could be extremely harmful to your health.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…they are.”
To report a fraud or scam related to COVID-19 call the National Center for Disaster Fraud.
It’s the first full day of Governor John Bel Edwards stay at home order. If you’ve had addiction issues, Office of Public Health Medical Director Dr. Jim Hussey says now would definitely not be the time to restart old bad habits. He says if you’ve stopped smoking, don’t restart, and…

Cut 8 (09) “…health.”

The Governor’s shelter in place order is in effect through April 12^th.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon issues an emergency rule designed to expand access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Donelon says the rule means that insurance agencies must cover a telemedicine visit as they would for an in-person visit…

Cut 12 (12) “…rural areas”

Donelon says a patient will stay be required to pay a co-pay as they would for an in-person visit.

A shortage of hand sanitizers has some craft beer breweries and distilleries churning out the disinfectant. Founder of Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing Karlos Knott says they just received the greenlight from the feds for production.  The brewery is purchasing spirits from a local distillery and chemicals from local suppliers for the initial 55 gallon batch.  Knott says the only thing standing in the way of making more is a slowdown in the supply chain.

Cut 11 (09) “…quite a bit more”

46 people are dead from the state’s 1,388 confirmed COVID-19 cases. 43 of the state’s 64 parishes are reporting finding the illness.
In times of crisis, scam artists will prey on your emotions and wallet and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Cynthia Albert with the Better Business Bureau says con artists are using the phone, email and fake internet ads to sell all kinds of false goods.
Cut 3 (12)  “…in the mail.”  
To report a fraud or scam related to COVID-19 call the National Center for Disaster Fraud.
It’s the first full day of Governor John Bel Edwards stay at home order. Office of Public Health Medical Director Dr. Jim Hussey says to help stay sane and healthy during this period you should make a daily schedule, and keep to it.

Cut 7 (11) “…additional support.”

The Governor’s shelter in place order is in effect through April 12^th.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon issues an emergency rule designed to expand access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Donelon says the order also waives restrictions requiring patients to only conduct telemedicine visits with providers in the insurer’s existing telemedicine network…

Cut 14 (09) “…telemedicine networks.”

Donelon says a patient will stay be required to pay a co-pay as they would for an in-person visit.

A shortage of hand sanitizers has some craft beer breweries and distilleries churning out the disinfectant. Founder of Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing Karlos Knott says they just received the greenlight from the feds and they’ve started making it today.The brewery is purchasing spirits from a local distillery and chemicals from local suppliers.  Knott says the hand sanitizer isn’t for sale though.

Cut 10 (11) “…things like that.”

The initial batch will be 55 gallons.

The newest numbers of COVID-19 cases from the state brings the total to 1,388 and 46 deaths. That’s an increase of 216 cases and 12 additional deaths. Of the current cases 271 are hospitalized and 94 of those patients require ventilators.  Governor Edwards is requesting a Major Disaster Declaration for the state to mitigate further spread. According to the Governor’s office, the current projections for hospitalization in the New Orleans area significantly exceeds capacity beginning April 4^th.

It’s the first full day of Governor John Bel Edwards stay at home order. But Edwards says that doesn’t mean you lock yourself in your house, you can spend time outside in the year and playing with the kids

Cut 6 (05) “…encouraged”

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon issues an emergency rule designed to expand access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Donelon says the rule means that insurance agencies must cover a telemedicine visit as they would for an in-person visit to the doctor and it requires insurers to cover mental health telehealth services as well.

Cut 13 (12) “…psychiatrist”

A shortage of hand sanitizers has some local breweries and distilleries producing disinfectant. Founder of Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing Karlos Knott says they just received the greenlight from the feds and started making it today.

Cut 9 (08) “…ready to go″