As COVID hospitalizations continue to rise across the state, Ochsner Health System says they are managing for now. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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At his first COVID briefing of the year, Governor Edwards voiced his frustrations as the state set an all-time high hospitalization rate. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Louisiana leaders condemn Wednesday’s assault on Capitol Hill by a pro-Trump mob opposing the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (42) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
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Representatives for Ochsner Health System say while they are managing the current surge of COVID patients they are looking at contingency plans for the predicted increase. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says we have yet to see the highest hospitalization rates.
Cut 4 (10) “…ahead of us.”
As of Wednesday, Ochsner Health System reported approximately 640 COVID patients across the state including Lafayette General. CEO Warner Thomas says with the expected increase of hospitalizations approximately three weeks after Christmas and New Year’s, they are working on making adjustments.
Cut 5 (10) “…our system.”
While Ochsner has yet to cancel surgeries and stop intake of non-COVID patients, Thomas says it’s a challenge as the patient load continues to spike among COVID patients.
Cut 6 (10) “…need to.”
Ochsner reports more than fifty percent of their staff has been vaccinated and rollout so far this week to those over the age of 70 at their facilities is going smoothly.
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While the Capitol was stormed in DC, here in Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards held the first COVID briefing of 2021 addressing the state’s all-time high hospitalization rate. While Edwards didn’t change the current Modified Phase Two restrictions, he did voice frustration with citizens who refuse to prevent the spread of COVID.
Cut 7 (09) “…follow those.”
As case numbers, hospitalizations and fatalities continue to set all-time highs in Louisiana, Edwards voiced his irritation at those who refuse to heed mitigation warnings and gathered anyway over the holidays.
Cut 8 (10) “…we’re not.”
Edwards reminded residents of the importance of social distancing and proper mask usage until the vaccine curbs the pandemic. He says mitigation efforts work but we all must adhere.
Cut 9 (12) “…damn onerous.”
Edwards also voiced his annoyance and reprimanded COVID deniers and who justify their actions by believing conspiracy theories.
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Louisiana Congressional delegation members spoke out against the pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitol Wednesday as Congress debated the certification of the Presidential Election results.
Congressman Mike Johnson says the incident was shocking. He was in the Lower Chamber as the mob smashed through police barricades…
Cut 10 (13) “…location.”
After Johnson and other Representatives were moved out of the Chamber there was a tense standoff at the door as guards drew guns on rioters as they attacked the door.
Johnson says Wednesday was a sad event in the history of the United States.
Cut 11 (10) “…peril.
Senator Bill Cassidy was in the Upper Chamber at the time. He says there was a commotion as the mob descended on the Senate Chambers.
Cut 12 (09) “…the Capitol.”
Senators were then escorted to a safe location. Afterward, the mob broke into the Upper Chamber.
Cassidy condemned the attack on the Capitol in strong terms and called for a peaceful transition of power into the Biden Administration.
Cut 13 (11) “…sedition.”
All other members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation have also issued statements denouncing the attack on Capitol Hill.
Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the situation at his afternoon press conference and asked for a bipartisan repudiation of the chaos.
Cut 14 (09) “…calm.”
Edwards called for an end to any more injuries to people and property…
Cut 15 (06)“…country.”
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Saints All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas was designated to return from injured reserve and is reportedly expected to practice on a limited basis ahead of Sunday’s playoff game against the Chicago Bears. Thomas has missed several games this year due to an ankle injury. to deal with an injury. Coach Sean Payton is hopeful Thomas can take the field Sunday.
Cut 16 (09) “…significant.”
Only three-thousand fans will be in the Dome for Sunday’s game. Payton says the team will need to create its own energy in order to have a home-field advantage.
Cut 17 (17) “…other factors.”
Payton has an idea of how to fill up the Dome with Who Dats as he jokingly suggested quarantining the Saints faithful leading up to the game.
Cut 18 (17) “…taken off or not.”
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LSU names Carolina Panthers quarterback coach Jake Peetz as the Tigers new offensive coordinator. Also coming over from Carolina is DJ Mangas. Mangas is LSU’s new passing game coordinator. He was with the Tigers in 2019 as an offensive analyst. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says both of these coaches are in their 30s and both worked with former LSU assistant Joe Brady this past season
Cut 19 (11) “…he hired.”
Brady was LSU’s passing game coordinator during the 2019 national championship season. Brady connected well with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow and Higgins says the goal is to re-create that magic, but with different coaches and players
cut 20 (12) “…in there.”