Louisiana now has 347 cases of COVID-19 in 17 parishes with 231 of those in Orleans Parish.  An eighth person has died, a 60-year-old from St. James Parish.  Governor Edwards has issued several guidelines and closures during the virus outbreak that some claim oversteps his authority. Attorney General Jeff Landry offered his input. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

Representative Steve Scalise decides to self-quarantine after a fellow lawmaker tested positive for COVID-19.  Scalise, who is not experiencing any symptoms, says the two met late last week.

New Orleans ranks second only to Seattle among US cities in per capita coronavirus cases.  Health experts say Mardi Gras was the ideal combination of factors to dovetail the number of COVID-19 infections.  Chair of the Global Community Health Department of Tulane’s School of Public Health Dr. Richard Oberhelman says the first factor is the international attraction of tourists.

Cut 4 (05)_ “…was being transmitted.”

Blood centers are reporting that COVID-19 is causing a critical shortage of blood donations.  Hospitals may be preparing to take an influx of coronavirus patients, but Lifeshare spokesperson Ben Prijatel says that doesn’t mean your routine procedures and patients won’t still need help.

Cut 8 (12) “…august.”

Lifeshare has seen a loss of 4,000 scheduled blood donations during March, the biggest hit coming from the suspension of schools.

The state’s number of coronavirus cases is up to 280. The greater New Orleans area has the most cases with 196 in Orleans Parish and 45 in Jefferson Parish. A total of seven people have now died from the virus. Governor Edwards 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 continues to implore Louisiana residents to wash their hands frequently and practice social distancing.
Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the federal government is working to get more testing kits out. 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”

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.

A capital region church is continuing to hold services as normal, defying the ban of gatherings of 50 or more people. The Life Tabernacle Church in Central had an around their average attendance of over 1,100 on Sunday. Rev. Tony Spell says police have shown up after services at the church, telling them next time it’ll be the National Guard that will disband the gathering.

Cut 3 (11)  “…enforce upon us.”  

The number of coronavirus cases is up to 280 in Louisiana and three more patients died today at the Lambeth House, a retirement facility in New Orleans. A total of seven people have now died from the virus. 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.
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 6^th
Cut 6 (07) “…is going.”

The Department of Children and Family Services has seen a doubling in the usual number of food stamp applications. Despite the increased work needed to process all the new applications, DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters does not foresee any disruptions to the usual distribution calendar.
Cut 10 (09) “office”
SNAP sends benefits to roughly 770,000 Louisiana residents currently.
A capital region church is continuing to hold services as normal, defying the ban of gatherings of 50 or more people. The Life Tabernacle Church in Central had an around their average attendance of over 1,100 on Sunday. Rev. Tony 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.”

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.

Louisiana now reports 257 positive tests for COVID-19, up 60 from yesterday, and seven deaths.

On top of the toll the virus is beginning to take on some Louisianan’s health, it’s also beginning to crush the economy with the Dow dropping below 20,000 points for the first time in the Trump Administration as workers in a number of sectors are being laid off as their companies close down due to social distancing influenced executive order.

Governor Edwards says they’re expecting serious economic damage as a result but are looking to help residents, requesting Small Business Administration disaster loan assistance for all 64 parishes and the suspension of eviction and foreclosure notices for now to prevent homelessness

Cut 14 (06) “…make their payments.”

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

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 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.”

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 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.”

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

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” 

Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a statement that the Governor does have the authority to take certain actions to limit the size of public gatherings, suspend some legal deadlines and order restaurant and bars to limit service. Landry says the governor working with the Public Health Officer and the Secretary of the Department of Health has a broad scope of authority in a public health crisis to protect the public.

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 virus is having a devastating economic impact that’s led to a doubling of food stamp applications. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says if you’re considering applying, the best way to find out about benefits is to text to 898-211, or…

Cut 11 (11) “concerns”

REVISED

The number of coronavirus cases is up to 257 in Louisiana and two more patients died this morning bringing the total number of deaths to six. 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 test 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.

A capital region church is continuing to hold services as normal, defying the ban of gatherings of 50 or more people. Rev. Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Central believes the virus is politically motivated, adding the church will not have its freedom of assembly taken away.

Cut 5 (08)  “…back to normal.”

In addition to a stimulus package Louisiana Senator Bill 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”

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″

To find out more about services you can send a text to 898-211 that’s 898-211.

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 total of six people have now died from the virus. 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.
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 6^th
Cut 6 (07) “…is going.”

The Department of Children and Family Services has seen a doubling in the usual number of food stamp applications. Despite the increased work needed to process all the new applications, DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters does not foresee any disruptions to the usual distribution calendar.
Cut 10 (09) “office”
SNAP sends benefits to roughly 770,000 Louisiana residents currently.
A capital region church is continuing to hold services as normal, defying the ban of gatherings of 50 or more people. The Life Tabernacle Church in Central had an around their average attendance of over 1,100 on Sunday. Rev. Tony 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 panic is politically motivated.

A 5^th person has died of COVID-19 related complicated in Louisiana, this time another resident of Lambeth House, a nursing home in New Orleans. Senator Bill Cassidy spoke with reporters this morning saying he’s been working with hospitals to prepare for the possibility that a lot more cases could be coming soon…

Cut 8 (15) “…bed capacity.”

The virus is having a devastating economic impact that’s led to a doubling of food stamp applications.

Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says if you’re considering applying, the best way to find out about benefits is to text to 898-211, or…

Cut 11 (11) “concerns”

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” 

Louisiana’s death toll from COVID19 increases to 5 with another death coming from a New Orleans nursing home. Despite the rising numbers, the threat of spread is not stopping a capital region church from holding 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 threatening to disband the next gathering.
Cut 3 (11)  “…enforce upon us.”  
The church had an attendance of over 1,100 on Sunday, which is about normal.
Louisiana Senator Bill 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. Cassidy says finding out who has the virus is critical to stopping the spread…
Cut 7 (05) “…get better”

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 like it would in natural disaster. The problem is… it isn’t.
Cut 9 (14) “…SNAP″
SNAP sends benefits to roughly 770,000 Louisiana residents currently.

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.”