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 case 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 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 it.

Cut 7 (11) “…additional support.”

In times of crisis, scam artists will prey on your emotions and your 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.”

Check with Better Business Bureau’s website at bbb.org/scamtracker to see if the product is deemed a scam.

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 their initial batch will be 55 gallons.  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”

It will be donated to healthcare facilities

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. Governor Edwards is requesting a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Louisiana in an effort to mitigate the further spread of the coronavirus.

Scam artists are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic, how can you protect yourself? Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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”

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

Gov Edwards is requesting a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Louisiana as the number of cases of COVID-19 grows and the state’s efforts to combat the spread of illness intensifies. The declaration would allow the federal government to provide additional support for state and local agencies in dealing with this growing public health threat. According to the Governor’s office the current projections for hospitalization in the New Orleans area significantly exceeds capacity beginning April 4^th. The Governor also spoke with Vice President Pence and renewed Louisiana’s request for a military field hospital.

While much of the state’s workforce is home today, Louisiana’s chemical plant employees are still on the job producing goods needed to fight the virus.  

Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser says they may still be in operation but the longer this pandemic goes on, the more the global economy will slow, which means it will take a financial toll on Louisiana’s plants.  

Cut 12 (04) “August”

Essential critical infrastructure workers are now eligible for childcare assistance through the state department of education. A reason why childcare facilities remain open is so health care workers can go to work. Assistant State Superintendent of Education Jessica Baghian says this program allows eligible families to access subsidized care for children ages 12 and under…
cut 8 (13) “….out to us”

An application for the childcare assistance program can be found at Louisiana-Believes-dot-com.

State Police and other law enforcement agencies have been overwhelmed with phone calls pertaining to misinformation of road closures related to mitigating the spread of COVID-19.  Lt. Nick Manale encourages the public to get information from trusted, reliable sources.

Cut 5 (10)  “…state right now.”

Medical professionals and the Governor took on some of the public’s biggest questions Monday night about what we now know about COVID-19, just over two weeks since the state’s first reported case. The President has touted the potential of existing medications for COVID treatment, but Our Lady of the Lake Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal says they need further testing, and… 

Cut 13 (12) “work”

The state has reported 1,172 cases and 34 deaths.

Today is the first full day of the Governor’s stay at home order. Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser says the Governor’s executive order included the chemical industry in a list of “essential” businesses.  

Cut 10 (10) “operate.”

The state Department of Education opens the Child Care Assistance Program to support essential critical personnel during the response to COVID-19. Assistant State Superintendent of Education Jessica Baghian says the help is available to individuals in various critical roles.

Cut 7 (08) “…across the state.”

The Governor’s emergency proclamation closes schools at least through April 12^th

State Police and other law enforcement agencies have been inundated with phone calls pertaining to rumors of road closures related to mitigating the spread of COVID-19.  Lt. Nick Manale encourages you to get your information from reliable sources, he says there is no shortage of information being put out on Twitter and Facebook by state officials related to COVID-19.

Cut 6 (10) “…social media presences.”

Governor Edwards “Shelter in Place” order is now in effect, residents are expected to stay home as a mitigation technique of further virus spread. 34 people are dead from the state’s 1,172 confirmed COVID-19 cases. 41 of the state’s 64 parishes are reporting finding the illness. As of Sunday, about 28% of the state’s at-the-time 860 cases resulted in hospitalizations. According to a UL-Lafayette study, Louisiana has one of the fastest growth rates of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world. Dr. Gary Wagner, Acadiana Business Economist Endowed Chair at UL-Lafayette says he will continue to track to the statistics and share them with the Department of Health. At first, the cases were in the single digits but then they started to double daily.

Cut 5 (08)  “…ahead of it.”

The findings compared the state’s numbers for the first 13 days to other recorded numbers of other cities and nations first two weeks.

The National Federation of Independent Business says 76% of small businesses are now being negatively impacted by the spread of the coronavirus, up from 23% ten days ago. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says of those that are seeing disruption, the biggest factor to the increase is slowed sales.

Cut 6 (11) “…the last survey.”

The state has ordered that many businesses shut down in an effort to slow the spread.  Starns commends Governor Edwards handling of the pandemic, saying he’s been great at keep businesses in the loop.

LSU says they will only have a limited number of essential personnel on campus as part of the governor’s stay-at-home order. The campus is set to remain a ghost town through the end of the spring semester but Interim President Dr. Thomas Galligan says they’re willing to be flexible if the situation improves.

Cut 10 (13) “…online”

34 people are dead of the state’s 1,172 confirmed COVID-19 cases. 41 of the state’s 64 parishes are reporting finding the illness.

A Louisiana professor has determined the Bayou State has the fastest growth rates of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world. Brooke Thorington more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

The state discovers another cluster of coronavirus cases at a Donaldsville retirement home. Five positive COVID-19 cases were discovered there.

The National Federation of Independent Business says 76% of small businesses are now being negatively impacted by the spread of the coronavirus, up from 23% ten days ago. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says about 68% of small business owners are very concerned about COVID-19 compared to just 16% on the last survey.

Cut 7 (10) “…saying they are.”

The state has ordered that many businesses shut down in an effort to slow the spread.  Starns commends Governor Edwards handling of the pandemic, saying he’s been great at keep businesses in the loop.

LSU says they will only have a limited number of essential personnel on campus as part of the governor’s stay-at-home order. Interim President Dr. Thomas Galligan says only a small number of students remain on campus…

Cut 9 (10) “…them″

The state is up to 1,172 cases of the coronavirus and at least 34 deaths have been reported

According to a UL-Lafayette study, Louisiana has one of the fastest growth rates of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world. Dr. Gary Wagner, a Business Economist at UL-Lafayette, has a few theories on why Louisiana is seeing a large rate of cases compared to other areas.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…other states.”

Many are worried some of LSU’s most essential staff may not be taking the field come August if COVID-19 is still an issue by them. LSU Interim President Dr. Thomas Galligan says if football must be canceled, they will, but hopefully, it won’t…

Cut 11 (10) “…life.”

The National Federation of Independent Business indicates a sharp rise in the coronavirus pandemic’s negative impact on small businesses.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The Governor will hold a statewide broadcast on radio and television to address Louisiana’s response to COVID-19. He will be joined by health experts and members of his administration and they will answer viewer questions that were submitted over the weekend. You can also stream the broadcast on gov dot Louisiana dot gov.

The state is up to 1,172 Coronavirus cases, an increase from 335 the day before. There have been 34 deaths reported and 41 of the state’s 64 parishes are reporting COVID-19 cases.  Governor Edwards stay at home order goes into effect at 5pm today and it will last until April 12th. Edwards on why it’s so important that people not gather in groups of ten or more…

Cut 15 (10) “…contact with.”

Louisiana has one of the fastest growth rates of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world. Dr. Gary Wagner, a Business Economist at UL-Lafayette says he compares the state’s numbers for the first 13 days to other recorded numbers of other cities and nations first two weeks.

Cut 3 (12)  “…in the world.”  

The National Federation of Independent Business says 76% of small businesses are now being negatively impacted by the spread of the coronavirus, up from 23% ten days ago. The state has ordered that many businesses shut down in an effort to slow the spread, NFIB State Director, Dawn Starns she says commends Governor Edwards handling of the pandemic because he’s kept businesses in the loop.

Cut 8 (10) “…we can do.”

LSU says they will only have a limited number of essential personnel on campus as part of the governor’s stay-at-home order. Interim President Dr. Thomas Galligan says campus is set to remain a ghost town through the end of the spring semester but they’re willing to be flexible if the situation improves.  

Cut 10 (13) “…online”

The state is up to 1,172 Coronavirus cases, an increase from 335 the day before. There have been 34 deaths reported and 41 of the state’s 64 parishes are reporting COVID-19 cases.  Governor Edwards says if your parish is not reporting a case that doesn’t mean COVID-19 is not present

Cut 14 (15) “…the country.”

East Baton Rouge Coroner Beau Clark says asthma is an underlying health condition that could contribute to possible death from the virus. Most of the people who have died had an underlying health condition.

Cut 13 (12) “…respiratory illness”

East Baton Rouge reported their first two deaths.

According to a UL-Lafayette study, Louisiana has one of the fastest growth rates of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world. Dr. Gary Wagner, Business Economist at UL-Lafayette, says he will continue to track to the statistics and share them with the Department of Health. At first, the cases were in the single digits but then they started to double daily.

Cut 5 (08)  “…ahead of it.”

LSU says they will only have a limited number of essential personnel on campus as part of the governor’s stay-at-home order. Interim President Dr. Thomas Galligan says only a small number of students remain on campus… 

Cut 9 (10) “…them″

Some food service staff serving carryout bags and other select staff will also be permitted on campus.