COVId Hospitalizations increased by another 135 today to more than 1,500 statewide. Brooke Thorington has more from State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter on how hospitals are reacting.
Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise doesn’t think the COVID vaccine should be mandatory, but he recommends it…
cut 10 (10) “…vaccinated”
Scalise received his first dose last week.

Starting on August 9th, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will begin accepting applications from Louisiana fishermen and others in the industry who incurred economic revenue losses greater than 35-percent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Jason Froeba says they have 12-million dollars in financial assistance available…
cut 8 (06) “…is helpful”
Applications are available on the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website.

Nicholls State has received a 500-thousand dollar grant that will be used on coastal research. Director of coastal initiatives at Nicholls, John Doucet, says they’ll use the money to study coastal ridges in the Barataria-Terrebonne estuary and their role in preserving the coast….
cut 14 (12) “…..these ideas”
The research will start this fall and continue through 2023.

The Louisiana Department of Health reports 4,700 new cases of COVID today and hospitalizations increased by 135 to 1,524. The state’s positivity rate is 13.2 percent the highest since December of 2020. Ventilator usage also increased by 17 to 144.

Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise received his first vaccine shot last week, today he talks about his decision to get vaccinated. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

With staffing shortages and an increase in COVID patients, State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says a number of hospitals are delaying elective surgeries for patients in an effort to ease caseloads on healthcare staff.  Kanter says that can have serious repercussions.

Cut 5 (08) “…at all.”

Kanter says if you contract COVID right now there’s a greater than 85-percent chance it is the Delta variant.

Nicholls State University will receive nearly 500 thousand dollars in fines and penalties from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to research and categorize the ecological attributes of coastal ridges. Nicholls Dean of Sciences and Technology Dr. John Doucet says ridges are an integral part of the Louisiana coastline…

Cut 12 (11) “…on those ridges” 

The state reports 4,700 new COVID cases today and hospitalizations are up 135 to 1,524. State officials say the majority of those in the hospital with COVID are unvaccinated. The positivity rate has reached 13.2-percent. The last time it was this high In Louisiana was December 2020.

As case numbers surge, so are hospitalizations, but when you compare the number of patients in Louisiana facilities to high numbers in the pandemic last year it doesn’t seem as dire. However, State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says hospitals are facing a severe nursing shortage now and facilities are treating other patients in addition to COVID patients.

Cut 4 (11) “…patients.” 

According to the Advocate newspaper, five members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation say they have been vaccinated for the coronavirus. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise received his first dose of a two-dose vaccine last week. Scalise says he waited to get the vaccine because he tested for the immunities of COVID

Cut 9 (09) “..get it”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will soon begin accepting applications for financial assistance for those who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.  Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Administrator Jason Froeba (Fro-bah) says anyone within the fishing industry that lost at least 35 percent of their revenue is eligible.

Cut 6 (12) “….fishing capacity.”

The application process runs from August 9th through the 29^th.

As daily COVID case numbers continue to be in the thousands health officials are urging unvaccinated individuals to roll up their sleeve to curb case numbers and hospitalizations in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says at this point in the pandemic people can’t say they don’t know someone who’s been affected by COVID.

Cut 3 (11) “…that bad.” 

And the C-D-C has reversed course and is now calling on vaccinated people to wear a face mask while indoors in areas of the United States where coronavirus cases are surging. In May, the CDC guidelines stated that vaccinated individuals didn’t need to wear face coverings. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig…

Cut 5 (11) “…did this.”
State Health Officials say over the past two weeks the number of vaccine shots administered has tripled. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the side effects associated with the vaccine are like .01-percent, while the death rate from the coronavirus is far higher. He says even if you don’t die, there’s the problem of the long-haulers…

Cut 11 (12) “… the coronavirus.”
Superstar gymnast Simone Biles and her decision not to compete this week at the Olympic games so she can focus on her mental health has become a major story. Chair of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Rahn Bailey says Biles’ candor about the reason for her exit is rare…

Cut 14 (09) “…or concern.”

The state health department reported its largest one-day spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations yesterday since March 2020 as the number of COVID patients increased by 169 to 1,390. Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says for those on the fence on whether to get vaccinated, speak with a trusted physician…
cut 12 (11) “….need to immunized”

Meanwhile, health care leaders are talking about the burnout being felt by those on the front lines of treating COVID patients for the past 16 months. LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine Dean Steve Nelson…
cut 8 (11) “….and have low moral”
There are six thousand nursing positions available on the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s website where job postings are listed.

CDC is now recommending that teachers and students should wear a mask regardless of whether they were vaccinated. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says since only ages 12 and up can be vaccinated this leaves half of school-aged children vulnerable and children are contracting the Delta variant of COVID.
Cut 6 (08) “…as possible.”
Many local school systems have not finalized their face mask policy for the upcoming school year.

U-S gymnastics star Simone Biles has also made a decision to withdraw from the individual all-around championships at the Summer Olympics after dropping out of the team event. Biles says she needs to focus on her mental health. Chair of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Dr. Rahn Bailey says it’s significant a high-profile athlete is honest about her condition….
cut 13 (11) “…in America’

The state health department has reported over 18-thousand new coronavirus cases over the past week and the number of COVID patients in the hospital yesterday saw its largest one-day increase since March 2020. Senator Bill Cassidy was asked about making the COVID vaccine mandatory and he says mandates for other vaccines already exist…
cut 10 (10) “….commonly done”
Meanwhile, the governor’s office says there are over six thousand nursing positions available on the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Website. Dean of the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine Steve Nelson says the need for nurses will only increase…
Cut 7 (10) “…accentuated that problem.”

Superstar gymnast Simone Biles has decided not to compete in tomorrow’s individual all-around event at the Summer Games. The decision comes on the heels of her dropping out of the team gymnastics finals because of mental health issues. Brooke Thorington spoke with a mental health expert about the example Biles is setting…
cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington’

Louisiana is once again under a heat advisory today as the heat index is expected to eclipse 105-degrees.

The CDC has reversed course and is now recommending that all individuals wear masks indoors in states like Louisiana where coronavirus cases are surging. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig…

Cut 4 (10) “…as well.”

There are nearly 14-hundred patients in Louisiana hospitalized with COVID. A 530-percent increase from four weeks ago. It’s a concern because there is a significant nursing shortage. Dean of LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in New Orleans, Doctor Steve Nelson, says the risks associated with being a healthcare worker have played a role in the shortage…
cut 9 (10) “….I pose to them”

State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says over the past two weeks the number of vaccine shots administered has tripled, which he says is critical to slowing down this fourth wave of coronavirus infections. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the side effects associated with the vaccine are like .01-percent, while the death rate from the coronavirus is far higher. He says even if you don’t die, there’s the problem of the long-haulers…
cut 11 (10) “…the coronavirus”

After not competing in the women’s gymnastics team competition at the Summer Olympics, Seimone Biles has decided not to compete in the individual all-around final due to mental health concerns. Chair of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Rahn Bailey, says Biles is showing it’s okay not to be okay…
cut 15 (08) “…illness”

The C-D-C has reversed course and is now calling on vaccinated people to wear a face mask while indoors in areas of the United States where coronavirus cases are surging. In May, the CDC guidelines stated that vaccinated individuals didn’t need to wear face coverings. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig…
Cut 5 (11) “…did this.”

The other major story is superstar gymnast Simone Biles and her decision not to compete this week at the Olympic games so she can focus on her mental health. Chair of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Rahn Bailey says Biles’ candor about the reason for her exit is rare…
cut 14 (09) “….or concern”
The Louisiana Workforce Commission has over six thousand nursing positions available on the help wanted portion of its website, the most job openings for a particular sector in Louisiana right now. Erik Piccoli has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

Shreveport Police is investigating an overnight fatal shooting where an elderly man fatally shot a person that was on his property. Detectives say the homeowner saw a person jump his fence on their home’s security camera system and then went outside with a gun to investigate. The trespasser allegedly made a threatening move towards the resident, who then fired two shots, killing the trespasser.

The state health department reported its largest one-day spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations yesterday since March 2020 as the number of COVID patients increased by 169 to 1,390. Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says for those on the fence on whether to get vaccinated, speak with a trusted physician…
cut 12 (11) “….need to immunized”

Meanwhile, health care leaders are talking about the burnout being felt by those on the front lines of treating COVID patients for the past 16 months. LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine Dean Steve Nelson…
cut 8 (11) “….and have low moral”
There are six thousand nursing positions available on the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s website where job postings are listed.

The CDC revised face mask guidance now recommends indoor face coverings for all in areas with high community spread. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The CDC revised face mask guidance Tuesday and now recommends indoor face coverings for all in areas with high community spread. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission has over six thousand nursing positions available on the help wanted portion of their website, the most job openings for a particular sector in Louisiana right now. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.” 

_________________________________________

When Simone Biles withdrew from Olympic competition this week for mental health reasons, she set a worldwide example for those suffering from psychiatric issues. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The CDC has released new face mask guidelines Tuesday as the fourth surge of COVID cases rages across the country. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the revised guidance that all individuals regardless of vaccine status should use face coverings indoors when there is high community spread is not surprising.

Cut 4 (10) “…as well.”

When the CDC previously said vaccinated individuals could not spread the virus earlier this year, Hassig says we weren’t overwhelmed with the highly transmissible Delta variant.  In May the CDC guidelines stated that vaccinated individuals didn’t need to wear face coverings. Hassig says the decision was premature.

Cut 5 (11) “…did this.”

The CDC now also recommends universal indoor masking for K-12 schools. Hassig says since only ages 12 and up can be vaccinated this leaves half of school-aged children vulnerable and children are contracting the Delta variant of COVID.

Cut 6 (08) “…as possible.”

Louisiana Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says individual school systems will determine their own face mask policy this fall.

_____________________

The governor’s office says the most job openings in Louisiana right now are for nurses with over 6,000 positions available on the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s website. Dean of LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in New Orleans Steve Nelson says the need for nurses will only increase…

Cut 7 (10) “…accentuated that problem.”

The pandemic has highlighted the shortage of nurses since patients affected by the virus require intensive care both from nurses and respiratory therapists. Nelson says the health care professionals who have been in the trenches for over a year are feeling burned out.

Cut 8 (11) “…and have low moral.” 

Nearly 14-hundred patients in Louisiana are hospitalized with COVID. Nelson says the risks associated with being a healthcare worker have also played a role in the shortage.

Cut 9 (10) “…I pose to them.”

_____________________________________

During a conference call, Senator Bill Cassidy said how after a year of having COVID-19 vaccines the risk-benefit rations strongly favors the vaccine. When asked if the vaccine should be mandatory Cassidy said similar mandates for other vaccines already exist…

Cut 10 (10) “…commonly done.” 

The death rate from COVID is far higher than the side effects from the vaccine which can be managed. Cassidy said that even if one doesn’t die they could be one of the many “long haulers”…

Cut 11 (12) “… the coronavirus.”

Louisiana still leads the nation in COVID cases with more than 1300 hospitalizations. Cassiday says that speaking to a trusted physician is the best to learn about the benefits of the vaccine…

Cut 12 (11) “…need to be immunized.” 

_____________________________________

When U-S gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from Olympic competition this week it was regarded by many as extremely brave because she confessed it was mental health reasons for her exit. Chair of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Dr. Rahn Bailey says it was extremely significant that such a high-profile athlete was honest about her condition.

Cut 13 (11) “…in American.”

Bailey says Olympic athletes are under immense pressure, especially because the pinnacle competition is only every four years. While many athletes withdraw from competition, Bailey says Biles’ candor about the reason for her exit is rare.

Cut 14 (09) “…or concern.”

Because mental illness is often stigmatized, Bailey says it often takes an athlete or celebrity to bring about awareness of the disease in order for others to seek assistance and acceptance of their illness.

Cut 15 (08)“…illness.”

If you feel you need mental counseling you can call 2-1-1 for assistance.

______________________________

Willie Green has officially been introduced as the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans.  Green comes to the Big Easy from Phoenix where he was an assistant under former Hornets head coach Monty Williams.  Green actually played in New Orleans back in 2010 and he says it’s good to be back.

Cut 16 (18) “…here today.”

Green takes over a team with a lot of young talent, including forwards Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.  Despite the talent, the Pels missed the playoffs last season but Green calls this team a sleeping giant.

Cut 17 (16) …team go.” 

Communication was often an issue for last year’s team which contributed to the struggles on the floor, especially on the defensive end.  Green stresses the importance of creating a personal relationship with his players.

Cut  18 (18)”… my approach.”