An East Baton Rouge Parish mother loses her baby after her COVID-19 symptoms resulted in the child’s premature birth. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Saints legendary kicker Tom Dempsey has died from complications of the coronavirus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

___________________________

Normally. flu activity goes down at this time of the year.   However, State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says the state has not yet seen that dip as one in ten visits to a doctor is for flu-like symptoms.

Cut 3 (13)  “…to slow down.”  

Both coronavirus and flu have similar symptoms.  Welch says with the high rates of testing for COVID-19, the math paints a picture of flu activity being much higher than normal.

Cut 4 (12)_ “… fact the flu.”

Many of the spread mitigation efforts of coronavirus run parallel to combatting the flu as well.  Welch says the one big difference maker is having a vaccine for the flu.  While it doesn’t guarantee someone won’t get the flu, it will reduce the severity of the illness and reduce the chance of hospitalization.

Cut 5 (08)  “…want to avoid.”

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A one day old infant in East Baton Rouge Parish dies after being prematurely born due to complications stemming from her mother’s COVID-19 case.

EBR Coroner Beau Clark says the child’s death is being counted in the parish’s total COVID fatalities, because…

Cut 6 (10) “labor”

He adds this is the first such case in Louisiana, but similar incidents have been reported nationwide.

The baby will be tested for coronavirus, but Clark says it’s not clear yet whether the virus is vertically transmissible.

Cut 7 (09) “…child.”

Clark says the CDC is in contact with the hospital where this occurred to collect data on whether the child itself was infected.

Pregnant women are considered a COVID-19 high-risk group. Clark explains why…

Cut 8 (14) “…situation.”

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Former Saints kicker Tom Dempsey, who once held the NFL record for the longest made field goal, has died from complications of the coronavirus. He was 73. Demspey kicked 159 field goals in eleven NFL season, even though he was born without toes on his right foot. His former teammate and ex-Saints Q-B Billy Kilmer…

Cut 9 (11) “…he was.″

In 1970 at old Tulane Stadium, Dempsey booted a 63-yard field goal as the Saints beat the Detroit Lions on the record-breaking kick. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Dempsey told him he never saw the ball go through the uprights

Cut 10 (13) “…the field”

Dempsey’s record stood for more than four decades. Matt Prater broke the record in 2013 with a 64-yard field goal in Denver. Dempsey only played for two seasons with the Saints. Detillier remembers the two appeared together at a public event in 2011 and fans stood in a long line to get Dempsey’s autograph

Cut 11 (05) “…still remembered”

________________________________________________

Dr. Ray Authement, who served as the president of UL Lafayette for 34 years, has died.  Upon his retirement in 2008, he was the longest-serving public university president in the United States.  Current UL Lafayette President Joe Savoie says Authement’s impact on the campus can still be seen today.

Cut 12 (10) “…changed the place.”

During Authement’s administration, the school’s name changed from USL to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.  Savoie says it was Autement’s own time in college that guided his handling of a student’s experience.

Cut 13 (12) “…could be successful.”

Savoie says Authement started at the school as a math professor.  Upon his retirement, he came back to the University to teach math again.

Cut 14 (12) “…to the university.”

Authement died Sunday at the age of 91.

92% of small businesses are feeling the negative impacts of COVID-19, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (24) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

National media outlets are reporting the CDC is set to recommend Americans wear a facemask when out in public to slow down the spread of COVID-19…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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92% of small businesses are reporting a negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic according to a nationwide survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business.  NFIB state director Dawn Starns says small businesses can only last for so long before throwing in the towel.

Cut 3 (07)  “…three to six months.”  

Starns says the leading factor is slower sales as reported by 80% of small businesses.

Cut  4 (13)_ “…started the survey.”

Starns says some businesses are choosing to forego the use of loans from government programs because they don’t want to get tangled in the extra paperwork or debt.

Cut 5 (11)  “…plenty who do.”

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The White House is reportedly set to recommend Americans wear a facemask while out in public to halt the spread of coronavirus.

Governor Edwards says the state is awaiting official federal recommendations before calling for public face mask usage in Louisiana, but…

Cut 6 (12) “…that.”

Many Asian countries, which have had far more success than western countries in slowing COVID cases, practice widespread use of public mask-wearing during viral scares.

There’s been a rash of articles and tutorials in recent days about how to make your own facemask at home, and Edwards is asking folks to use those, and not N95s.

Cut 7 (08) “…enough.”

Most online tutorials say you only need some cloth, like handkerchiefs, and elastic bands to make the most basic DIY mask.

Edwards says if the CDC does call for masks it likely would not be an order.

Cut 8 (12) “…right now.”

The decision would be a sharp reversal in federal messaging. In March the US Surgeon General told Americans to stop buying masks because they don’t stop coronavirus transmission.

____________________________________________________

The Army Corps of Engineers began opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway today to protect New Orleans levees from the rising Mississippi River. For the first time ever, it’s the third straight year the flood structure has been utilized. Colonel Stephen Murphy says opening bays on the spillway diverts part of the river’s flow away from New Orleans

Cut 9 (08) “…hurricane activity.″

Murphy says it’s been another tough year for the River. To date, they’ve been in a phase one flood fight for 87 of the 93 days this calendar year.

Cut 10 (09) “…days”

COVID-19 may have many workers staying home, but Murphy says levee workers are essential.

Cut 11 (10) “…COVID-19.”

________________________________________________

Businesses with under 500 employees can now apply to receive a Small Business Administration loan from the feds to help cover payroll, and some other expenses for the next two months.

CPA Ben Vance says businesses who qualify get a loan amount that is determined by the SBA.

Cut 12 (09) “…2.5”

Vance is the Postlethwaite and Netterville Consulting Director.

The funds can only be used for payroll, rent, utilities, and some interest costs, but Vance says it’s really intended to keep your workers employed.

Cut 13 (08) “…forgiven”

The loans come in two forms, a disaster loan, and a payroll loan, but Vance says the emphasis is on payroll loans at the moment.

Vance recommends interested small business owners “get in line” to apply for the loans now because there’s a lot of interest.

Cut 14 (13) “…apply”

The CPA also warns that this is only a temporary fix and buisiness owners should be preparing for what will happen once the two month period ends.

Louisiana’s stay at home order has been extended through April. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Department of Education issues guidance for school districts on how to handle the impending graduating class of high school seniors. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “…Kevin Barnhart ” 

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 If you owe child support, the Department of Children and Family Services is not relaxing on payments during the pandemic.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

____________________________________________

Governor Edwards officially extends the state’s stay at home order through at least April, and says a model used by the White House predicts 1,834 Louisianans will die of COVID-19.

The Governor says the model is predicated on the idea that we continue mitigation measures through May, instead of the current reopening date of May 1^st.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…76.”

310 people have died in Louisiana from COVID-19.

Edwards says to limit the death toll the state has already distributed 450 ventilators to hospitals since the start of the COVID crisis, but finding new ones at the moment is difficult.

Cut 5 (11)  “…ago.”

507 Louisiana COVID patients are currently on ventilators.

Edwards says we’re not seeing the kind of shelter in place compliance we would like in areas outside the big cities. He says if those rural areas don’t take this seriously now…

Cut 6 (10) “…happen”

____________________________________________

The State Treasurer is shipping out four million dollars’ worth of unclaimed property checks to Louisianans this week. John Schroder says by working with the Department of Revenue they’ve identified tens of thousands of recipients who are owed money they can use right now.

Cut 7 (06) “…week”

Schroder says about one in six Louisianans is owed unclaimed property by the state, and you can speed up the process of getting it to you by visiting latreasury.com

So keep your eyes on your mailbox over the next week, and don’t throw out any mail until you know what it is.

Cut 8 (08) “…week.”

Unclaimed property can be everything from payroll checks to old bank accounts, royalties, deposits, interest payments, and more.

Schroder says the average check is no small fortune, but it is worth about nine hundred dollars.

Cut 9 (05) “…average″

Schroder estimates 14 million dollars in checks will be shipped next month.
______________________________________________

Department of Education issues guidance for school districts on how to handle the impending graduating class of high school seniors. Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says seniors won’t have to worry about taking the usual standardized tests graduation, but districts will have to make a call on how to handle course credits and other graduation requirements.

Cut 10 (08) “…high school credit.”

Bradford says students may elect to receive a pass/fail credit over a traditional letter grade for classes this semester, but it will not be factored into a GPA.

Cut 11 (10) “…impact their GPA”

All requirements to receive TOPS have remained the same.

Bradford says the Board of Regents is moving forward with options for dual-enrollment students.  They can either remain in the course and complete the coursework on time or they can do what is called an “in progress” …

Cut 12 (13) “…of the course.”

_________________________________________

The Department of Children and Family Services is not relaxing child support payments due to the pandemic.  Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales says non-custodial parents will still be on the hook for money owed despite their employment status, but no enforcement actions will be taken.

Cut 13 (12) “…those enforcement techniques.”

If a parent loses a job and can’t make a payment, Scales recommends they call their child support worker and let them know that their circumstances have changed.

Cut 14 (08) “had been doing.”

Scales says the large number of layoffs and furloughs attached to the pandemic are a major area of concern that is compounded by the fact that they do not have any sort of remedy for the growing problem.

Cut 15 (11)“…this is nationwide.”

_________________________________________________

LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri is still not exactly sure what his roster might look like in 2021. Mainieri says senior pitchers Matthew Beck and Aaron George will be able to return, because the NCAA is giving them another year of eligibility. But he’s not sure how many players or recruits he’ll lose to the draft, because Major League Baseball has yet to decide how many round the draft will be…

Cut 16  (18)  “…definitive answers” 

Current NCAA rules, only allow college baseball programs to hand out 11.7 scholarships among 27 players. Mainieri says with seniors coming back for another year and fewer players getting drafted, he’s hoping for some roster flexibility….

cut 17  (20) “…couple years” 

A New Orleans East Hospital nurse, Larrice Anderson, becomes the state’s first healthcare worker to die of COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

Colorado State University researchers predict we will see an active 2020 hurricane season. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Ochsner Health chief Warner Thomas says they continue to increase the number of intensive care beds to keep up with the surge in COVID-19 patients. Thomas says adding to the strain is that COVID-19 patients spend over a week in the I-C-U

Cut 3 (12)  “…14 days.”  

Thomas says 85-percent of their COVID patients in the ICU are on ventilators. He believes they are in a decent position when it comes to personal protective equipment

Cut  4 (12)_ “…world.”

Thomas says their biggest need is staffing and they are working to hire more nurses as they expand the number of beds…

Cut 5 (11)  “…welcome relief”

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A nurse at New Orleans East Hospital becomes the state’s first healthcare worker to die after testing positive for COVID-19.  Larrice Anderson passed away on Wednesday.  Executive Director of the Louisiana State Nurse’s Association Thea Ducrow says the death sends a shockwave through the nursing community.

Cut 6 (13) “…what can happen.”

Ducrow says the rapidly developing situation has resulted in changes protective measures from the more strict airborne transmission protocol to the relaxed droplet protocol that requires the use of less PPE.  Ducrow says nurses are concerned about these changes.

Cut 7 (10) “…rather than science.”

Ducrow says the needs of healthcare workers are clear.

Cut 8 (11) “…what is needed.”

Anderson’s employer released a statement remembering the fallen nurse as “a mother, friend, and a caring nurse.”

____________________________________________________

If life wasn’t already difficult enough, Colorado State University Hurricane researchers predict an active 2020 hurricane season. C-S-U forecaster Jhordanne Jones says the likely absence of an El Nino is a primary factor

Cut 9 (08) “…hurricane activity.″

Jones says the tropical Atlantic is also somewhat warmer than normal right now…

Cut 10 (10) “…the air”

An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes. But Jones says their forecast calls for 16 named storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes

Cut 11 (10) “…happening.”

________________________________________________

Louisiana sees a 42 percent increase in confirmed coronavirus cases as of the noon report, but Governor Edwards cautions that number is a reflection of a backlog of test results that were just reported.

Edwards says some of the over 2,700 new cases reported today were just recently discovered, but…

Cut 12 (10) “…ago”

About 51,000 COVID tests have been conducted in Louisiana between state and private labs, 47,000 of which were in private labs.

The state reported 37 new deaths as well, bringing our total to 310 COVID fatalities. Edwards says the 9,150 total cases should be a wakeup call for anyone still doubting the pandemic’s severity.

Cut 13 (10) “…states”

1,639 COVID patients are hospitalized, with 507 on ventilators, an increase of 17 from yesterday.

The Governor says the recent spike in cases is not evidence that the shelter in place order is failing. He says it will likely take until sometime next week to see our curve flatten as a result of the decision.

Cut 14 (07) “…April”

The Louisiana Direct Seafood marketing program is helping fishermen sell their catch at a time when they’ve lost revenue from restaurants. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

Over the next three weeks, the IRS will be dropping money from the $2.2 trillion emergency relief bill into the bank accounts of Americans. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…Kevin Barnhart ” 

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Governor Edwards warns Louisianans to start mentally preparing for a traumatic month ahead due to COVID-19 . Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 ()  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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 The state’s seafood industry is hurting with restaurant business taking a dive because of COVID-19.  Now, they are getting help in offloading their catch direct to consumers with the help of the marketing tool LouisianaDirectSeafood.com.  LSU AgCenter coastal agent Rusty Gaude (GO-TAY) says they’ve set up the website to connect the fishermen with those looking buy the catch.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…with that catch.”

Gaude says the website posts from harvesters detail what they’ve caught, prioritizing the post order by the freshest catch.

Cut 5 (09)  “…messages get buried.”

With the pipeline to restaurants being in a state of uncertainty, Gaude says this is a vital lifeline for the seafood industry.

Cut 6 (06) “…this hard time.”

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The Treasury Department and IRS announce the distribution of the economic impact payments will be sent out in the next three weeks.  Senior tax manager at Hannis T. Borgeois Brad Tate says an income of $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for married couples will be the dividing line between getting a full $1,200 rebate or a smaller payment.

Cut 7 (09) “…married filing jointly.”

Tate says the IRS will be using the most recent info on file to get recipients their money.

Cut 8 (11) “…into your bank account.”

Tate says if you believe the IRS has outdated info of where to send your money, be on the lookout for an IRS media blitz.

Cut 9 (12) “…rebate check quicker.″
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is warning folks not to fall for fake news about bans on fishing or other outdoor activities during the coronavirus shutdown.

LDWF spokesperson Renee LeBreton says outside of the seizure of a few state parks for COVID patients, nothing has changed when it comes to what you can do outdoors.

Cut 10 (11) “…fake.”

LeBreton says in fact LDWF is encouraging people to go exploring nature, maybe catch some fish, or go hunting. He says it’s a great way to stay away from other people.

Cut 11 (09) “…offer”

LeBreton says instead of trusting some random person on Facebook, trust the professionals to tell you what is and is not allowed right now.

Cut 12 (08) “…there”

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Governor Edwards paints a grim picture of just how long, and how severe the coronavirus epidemic could get in Louisiana as the nation braces for an estimated 100,000-250,000 COVID deaths.

The state is tentatively set to lift the shelter in place order April 30^th, but Edwards says it’s likely that life will not return to normal for quite a long time.

Cut 13 (09) “…vaccine”

And he adds it depends on when we can begin testing people to see if they have anti-coronavirus antibodies that will give them natural immunity.

Edwards warns even if the statewide stay at home order is lifted in the near future, other countries have shown there’s no guarantee it won’t be needed again.

Cut 14 (08) “here”

Current projections have the New Orleans region running out of ventilators by April 6^th. Edwards says after that date new patients who need one will be put on non-ICU standard equipment.

Cut 15 (11)“…ventilator”

About a third of all patients who will be admitted to hospitals with COVID-19 are expected to need a ventilator.

Edwards says even in best case projections many Louisianans will die because they can’t get the care they need, because even with the use of non-standard equipment…

Cut 16  (11)  “…need them” 

Louisiana already is home to 4 of the top 6 parishes/counties in per capita COVID deaths.

_____________________________

The Saints are preparing for the NFL draft at Dixie Brewery in New Orleans east, an establishment owned by Gayle Benson. Teams are forced to find alternative locations for their draft war rooms, because teams are not allowed in their own facilities. Payton says since they are not allowed to bring draft prospects in or go visit them, it will impact their decisions on who they pick…

cut 17  (30) “…looking for” 

Payton says he feels good after testing positive last month from the coronavirus. He says he never had the respiratory issues that many patients suffer from. The coach says they are practicing social distancing in the draft war room and they are using a lot of video teleconferencing

Cut 18  (19) “…six or seven”   

And Payton has clarified his comments he made to ESPN about his quarterback Drew Brees. The coach says he didn’t mean to indicate that 2020 would be his final season, in face he really doesn’t know…

cut 19 (20) mentally”  

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves urges small businesses to start filling out the application for the Payroll Protection Act.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

The oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia and the coronavirus pandemic has brought the state’s oil and gas industy to its knees. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

___________________________

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is encouraging small businesses to get a jump on filling out applications for the Payroll Protection Act. Small businesses can apply to receive low-interest loans, with money that is used for payroll being forgiven. Graves says applications will be accepted starting April 3.

Cut 3 (10)  “…applications are accepted.”  

The program is part of the $2.2 trillion emergency relief legislation, but this particular allocation is subject to a funding cap, adding to the urgency of filing quickly.

Money used to fund other aspects of compensation like benefits such as healthcare and retirement will also be forgivable. Graves says the funds will help keep businesses from making layoffs and firings.

Cut  4 (07)_ “…families above water.”

Graves says the funding is not intended to float the payrolls of small businesses for the rest of the year.

Cut 5 (08)  “…4 month period.”

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As oil prices continue to drop the outlook for Louisiana workers in the industry continues to look bleak. Oil is trading in the low twenties and President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Gifford Briggs says the situation is dire and two weeks ago when he surveyed members the predictions were extreme.

Cut 6 (11) “…90 days.”

Briggs says local companies are taking a huge hit in profits not only from the virus but also from Saudi Arabia and Russia ramping up production. Briggs says the two factors have resulted in a 90-percent reduction in prices for Louisiana Light Sweet Crude Oil since January.

Cut 7 (07) “…three months.”

Briggs says if prices do not recover by June first, storage facilities for oil will reach capacity and that’s when the industry will most definitely see a reduction in workers.

Cut 8 (10) “…everywhere else.”

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The New Orleans region could run out of ventilators for COVID-19 patients sometime this weekend. Governor Edwards says they’re scouring the medical community trying to figure out where they might have ventilators that are not in need, even if they aren’t high-powered ICU models.

Cut 9 (10) “…at all.″

490 COVID-19 patients are on ventilators in Louisiana as of the noon update.

The state received 150 ventilators from the feds today, but that number has already been factored into models warning of a shortage this weekend. At least…

Cut 10 (09) “…ICU”

When you combine requests to the feds and private companies, Louisiana has requested 14,000 ventilators total, but Edwards says that doesn’t mean 14,000 people are projected to need them.

Cut 11 (11) “…time.”

New Orleans is projected to run out of hospital bed space around Tuesday of next week.

________________________________________________

LSU’s DeepDrug team is using artificial intelligence to analyze anti-viral drugs, or drug combinations that could be used to treat COVID-19 patients.

LSU Computer Science Professor Supratik Mukhopadhyay (Moo-co-pod-a) says drugs like hydroxychloroquine appear promising, but cardiac patients shouldn’t take the anti-malarial…

Cut 12 (07) “…patients”

Before turning its attention to the coronavirus, DeepDrug was used to analyze potential antibiotic and antimicrobial treatments.

The FDA has approved about 90 antiviral treatments for general use, and Mukhopadyay says each will be simulated to see how it would treat COVID patients.

Cut 13 (07) “…them”

Once the ten to fifteen possibilities are discovered, Mukhopadyay says LSU will move to test them in more traditional clinical and lab settings.

Cut 14 (08) “…week”

DeepDrug is a current semifinalist for the IBM Watson AI X-PRIZE.

______________________

Gig economy workers such as Uber and Lyft drivers have been given the green light to eligibility to apply for unemployment assistance from the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The 54 new COVID-19 deaths reported yesterday were by far the largest total of deaths the state has seen in any 24 hour period. Matt Doyle has reaction from the Governor…

Cut 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle ” 

___________________________________________

The District Attorney is now faced with prosecuting Rev. Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Central for violating the Governor’s Proclamtion. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

____________________________________________

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has given the green light to eligibility for gig economy workers such as Uber and Lyft drivers to apply for unemployment assistance.  LWC executive director Ava Dejoie says if someone has recently applied and been denied, for being a 1099 employee, waiter or waitress, or rideshare driver, eligibility will be retroactive.

Cut  4 (10)_ “…of your filing”

Dejoie says the funds aren’t available to pay out to applicants yet as LWC has not received the money from the feds.

Cut 5 (05)  “…no longer working.”

Dejoie says there is no rush for filing as the payments will be retroactive to when employment was halted.

Cut 6 (12) “…process for everyone”

____________________________________________

Louisiana reported its biggest increase in COVID-19 cases and related deaths in a 24 hours period yesterday, evidence that the state has yet to begin flattening the curve. 1,212 new positive tests were reported and 54 deaths. Governor John Bel Edwards says for those who haven’t been socially distancing…

Cut 7 (07) “…right now”

Edwards adds that the state has doubled its total number of cases and use of ventilators since March 26^th.

The new numbers put the state above 5,000 total cases. Edwards says the jump in cases and deaths is alarming.

Cut 8 (09) “…gets.”

The New Orleans region is now on pace to run out of ventilators by April 4^th, and hospital beds by April 7^th.

The Governor says these numbers are likely the result of infections that occurred before the statewide stay at home order, so there may be some good news coming soon.

Cut 9 (09) “days″
______________________________________________

Rev Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Central was issued a summons Tuesday on six counts of violating of the Governor’s order of large gatherings. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says even though Spell wasn’t taken into custody it serves the same as an arrest.  Moore says when the governor issues such orders violators can be penalized.

Cut 10 (08) “…calls for.”

Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran issued the summons on Tuesday after Rev Spell continued to hold services at the church in which congregation averaged 11-hundred members. Moore explains why Spell received six counts.

Cut 11 (11) “…different days.”

Rev. Spell will be formally charged today but due to the virus the courts are suspended temporarily, and Moore says when a hearing will be held remains to be seen.

Cut 12 (07) “…arraignment”

_________________________________________

There’s widespread frustration about how long it can take to get results back for a coronavirus test, but at the Tulane Medical Center Laboratories tests only take four hours.

Medical Director Dr. Byron Crawford says initially the only FDA approved test was a manual procedure, but the feds recently OK’d a new procedure using equipment Tulane has on-site.

Cut 13 (07) “…hours.”

They run tests in two batches a day for a total of about 200 tests a day for patients who go to University Medical Center or Tulane Medical Center.

Crawford says this kind of equipment is vital because it allows hospitals to quickly process which patients have COVID-19, and which don’t.

Cut 14 (11) “…equipment.”

Crawford says he’s confident this kind of technology will be widely available to other medical centers, and soon.

Cut 15 (08)“…patients”

The project is a joint venture by Tulane, LSU School of Medicine, Children’s Medical Center, and UMC, with the equipment provided by Roche.

Testing will soon begin on the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets in combatting COVID-19.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

 Governor Edwards applauds the President’s decision to extend the federal social distancing reccomendations until April 30th. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle ” 

___________________________________________

Some state lawmakers will reconvene today to try and set a new date to get back into session. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

____________________________________________

Food stamp recipients who are not currently receiving the maximum total possible on their SNAP cards will now start receiving the max.

Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says only 37 percent of recipients currently receive the maximum.

Cut  4 (10)_ “…benefits”

The max for a single individual recipient is $194 a month.

The Department is also waiving redeterminations, interviews, and the work requirements for SNAP. Walters says if you have SNAP, you don’t have to worry about losing it right now.

Cut 5 (05)  “…that.”

Walters says if you’re interested in applying for food stamps, know the call center capacity is limited right now and your best bet is visiting DCFS.LA.GOV/GetSnap, or text get SNAP to 898-211.

Cut 6 (07) “…we do”

____________________________________________

Testing will soon begin in Louisiana on whether hydroxychloroquine can be used to treat COVID-19 patients or if it can be used as a preventive measure for healthcare workers on the frontline. Dean of LSU Health Sciences School of Medicine Dr. Steve Nelson says the drug has been shown in a test tube to kill coronavirus, but there has only been a small number of clinical trials.

Cut 7 (11) “…a small number.”

Nelson says the biggest hurdle has been getting their hands on the drug for testing, but with a donation of 400-thousand hydroxychloroquine sulfate tables from a pharmaceutical company, they expect trials to begin later this week.  Nelson adds in terms of defining the drug’s effectiveness, a reasonable number of patients, between 500 and 1,000, need to be studied.

Cut 8 (11) “…this virus yet.”

Nelson says the drug is safe and for the vast majority of people it is very well tolerated so there is very little risk, if any, associated with taking this drug.

Cut 9 (06) “…the 1940s.″
______________________________________________

President Trump announces the extension of federal social distancing recommendations through April 30^th as the US becomes the world’s leader in total COVID-19 cases.

Governor Edwards says the declaration is helpful because it sends a message that we are nowhere near over the hump.

Cut 10 (11) “…ARE ON.”

Locally Louisiana remains number 3 in total cases and number two in total deaths per capita.

Governor Edwards warns the state’s trajectory of cases still puts them on track to run out of ventilators in the New Orleans area by April 5^th. He says the state will ultimately need 14,000 more ventilators.

Cut 11 (09) “…Louisiana.”

The Governor’s office says the President committed to sending 150 ventilators, but they’re not sure when they will arrive.

Edwards reiterated his calls for social distancing, but one church in Central refuses to comply having hosted over a thousand people Sunday night. Edwards says he won’t be breaking up those services.

Cut 12 (11) “…comply”

Reportedly residents from five different parishes were bused in for Sunday service at Life Tabernacle Pentecostal Church in Central.

_________________________________________

Some state lawmakers will reconvene today to try and set a new date to get back into session.  The 2020 session came to a halt three weeks ago over coronavirus concerns.  Senate President Page Cortez says he’s got no definitive date in mind but says Senate committee meeting may actually still take place before the session returns.

Cut 13 (10) “…place is lifted.”

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says today’s business will not require a full house since they are not voting on any bills adding that although they may be exceeding a congregation of 50 people, they will be practicing social distancing.

Cut 14 (09) “…should be fine.”

Both Cortez and Schexnayder remain optimistic that a special session could be avoided, but that decision hinges on the rapidly changing COVID-19 outbreak.

Cut 15 (11)“…and finish business.”

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The F-B-I wiretap that reportedly has LSU basketball coach Will Wade discussing a strong offer made to a recruit is expected to be aired tonight on an H-B-O Documentary titled “The Scheme.” Wade missed the NCAA Tournament because of the FBI wiretap scandal but was reinstated in May. LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau spoke to one of the writers of the documentary

Cut 16  (18)  “…that is new” 

Christian Dawkins was the man at the center of the FBI’s investigation into college basketball corruption. Dawkins has been convicted for helping to funnel thousands of dollars between college basketball programs and recruits. So far Wade and LSU have avoided an NCAA investigation, but Guilbeau says that could change after tonight’s documentary airs…

cut 17  (20) “…court of law 

400,000 hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets have been donated to the state of Louisiana.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is doing all it can to be prepared for the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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After a two-week break, LSU’s spring semester resumes today, but all classes have been moved online. English Professor Kevin Cope says there will be something lost in the translation to online for all students, but he expects those in traditional liberal arts classes will fare best, while…

Cut 3 (11)  “education”  

The campus has been closed to all but the few students who couldn’t leave and are at the dorms, and essential staff.

Cope says the transition to online learning has gone about well as it could considering the short notice, but LSU was not fully prepared to make the jump.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…subscription.”

Cope says the school has not been able to invest in its online capabilities due to chronic underfunding of state schools.

Cut 5 (12)  “…scramble”

LSU’s campus is currently set to stay closed at least through the end of May.

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Attorney General Jeff Landry announces a donation of 400,000 hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets from Amneal Pharmaceuticals to the state. The drug has been identified as a possible treatment for COVID-19, which Landry says has created a high demand.

Cut 6 (11) “…that supply crunch.”

Louisiana has become a COVID-19 hotspot, ranking in the top three locations in the nation for the illness. Landry says LSU’s medical school has received approval to begin clinical testing of the drug.

Cut 7 (06) “…a treatment medicine.”

Landry says it is vital to have this drug on hand for medical professionals, not only to possibly treat patients, but to defend themselves.

Cut 8 (07) “…with this crisis.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards says by the end of this week the New Orleans area could reach its ventilator capacity. The state health department reports about 400 patients are currently using the machines to help COVID-19 patients breathe. Edwards says they are seeking over 12-thousand ventilators

Cut 9 (10) “…several weeks now″

Edwards says the New Orleans area could run out of bed space by April 10th. But a makeshift hospital is going up inside the New Orleans Convention Center. The governor says one-thousand hospital beds will be ready within a week inside the convention center

Cut 10 (11) “discharged home”

Edwards says he’ll likely extend his stay-at-home order beyond April 13th as Louisiana ranks second in the nation in per capita deaths related to COVID-19….

Cut 11 (11) “…as wel know”

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President Donald Trump has extended the nation’s social distancing guidelines that were set to expire today for another month through April 30th. Senator Bill Cassidy says the restrictions will likely extend into May, unless the curve is flatten or scientists discover a treatment

Cut 12 (10) “…my opinion”

The state health department reported an additional 485 coronavirus cases today, bringing the total number of positive cases to just over four-thousand. Over 11-hundred COVID-19 patients are hospitalized. Cassidy says hospitals are doing what they can to keep up with the surge in cases

Cut 13 (09) “…have a problem.”

A two-point-two trillion-dollar economic stimulus package was approved last week, but Cassidy says the federal government will do more if it has to. He’s very concerned about the state’s energy-producing companies

Cut 14 (10) “…price war”