COVID-19 is now to blame for 512 deaths linked to the illness in Louisiana.  Among them, a one day old infant in East Baton Rouge Parish.  The child died after being prematurely born due to complications stemming from her mother’s COVID-19 case.  The baby will be tested for coronavirus, but EBR Coroner Beau Clark says it’s not clear yet whether the virus is vertically transmissible.

Cut 7 (09) “…child.”

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.″

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.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.”

Dr. Ray Authement, who served as the president of UL Lafayette for 34 years, has died at the age of 91.  Upon his retirement in 2008, he was the longest serving public university president in the United States.  Current UL Lafayette President Joe Savoie says Autement’s impact on the campus can still be seen today.

Cut 12 (10) “…changed the place.”

Louisiana reports 35 new COVID-19 deaths today just a day after reporting a record high 68 deaths yesterday. Total positive test cases have risen to just under 15,000, with over 500 now confirmed dead from the disease.

One of those fatalities was a one-day old infant in East Baton Rouge Parish that died 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 parishes total COVID fatalities, because…

Cut 6, 10 seconds, labor

Flu numbers are up in Louisiana, but State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says that’s in part due to the substantial number of coronavirus tests…

Cut 4 (12)_ “… fact the flu.”

The deadline to submit ACT scores for TOPS qualification has been extended to September 30^th as the ability to take a test is non-existent at the moment. LOSFA Executive Director Dr. Sujuan Boutte says a student would still need a 2.5 GPA and 20 on their ACT to qualify for at least some level of TOPS.

Cut 7 (09) “eligibility”

The traditional April national ACT test was delayed until June, and Boutte says they’re working with ACT to try to make June a possibility even if restrictions are still in place.

The uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak makes it extremely challenging for families to reassure children. LSU Psychology Assistant Professor Dr. Anna Long says a change in a child’s behavior is typical during a crisis.
Cut 24 (11)_ “… are feeling.”
Long advises parents to keep your child on a daily schedule and don’t forget to take care of yourself and manage your stress.

Governor Edwards has issued a proclamation that changes some of the TOPS eligibility requirements. A high school senior still needs a 2.5 GPA to qualify, but they now have until September 30th to achieve a 20 on the ACT. LOSFA executive director Doctor Sujuan Boutte says some school districts will issue a pass-fail grade for classes that ended abruptly, but that will not impact a student’s GPA…
cut 9 (11) “….go up”
For more information go to LOSFA’s website.

Normally flu activity goes down at this time of the year. However, State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in about one in ten doctors visits for flu-like symptoms.
Cut 3 (09) “…very very high.”
Welch says one reason for the state reporting a high number of flu cases is that people are going to the doctor over concerns they have the coronavirus, only to find out they are testing positive for the flu.

Governor Edwards is encouraging small business owners to apply for assistance with payroll, rent and other operational expenses through the federal Paycheck Protection Program. Edwards says the state is also providing additional support through a new Louisiana Loan Portfolio Guaranty Progam…
cut 14 (12) “….through the SBA”
For more information go to Opportunity-Louisiana-dot-com-slash-COVID-19.

High school students now have until September 30th to submit ACT scores to LOSFA to quality to receive the TOPS tuition scholarship. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle” 

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.  Authement died Sunday at the age of 91.

The COVID-19 outbreak is not only impacting our physical health but mental as well. Unlike other disasters, the uncertain reality we are all facing makes it extremely challenging for families to reassure children.  LSU Psychology Asst. Professor Dr. Anna Long says when children ask questions, be honest and reassure them but also let their questions guide the conversation

Cut 6 (12) “…to normal”

New testing is starting to become available for those who may have been an asymptomatic COVID-19 positive carrier and now have recovered and likely have immunity.  State immunization director Dr. Frank Welch says this testing could be most useful in strategic hospital staffing.

Cut 12 (12) “…get it again.”

The testing is not yet widely available in Louisiana but could be more available in the coming months.

Today marks the start of the third week Louisiana has been under a stay at home order and the cases and deaths from the coronavirus continues to climb. Louisiana has over 13-thousand positive cases and 477 deaths, an increase of 68 marking the largest single-day jump in fatal cases. The economy is also suffering and Governor John Bel Edwards looks forward to the day when the state can ease its restrictions…
cut 15 (11) “…possibly can”
The stay at home order is through April, but the governor released a graph on Friday that showed the state is on course to require 25-hundred new hospitalizations a day in the New Orleans area by mid-May.

A field hospital at the New Orleans Convention Center can begin accepting patients today.

Louisiana is giving TOPS applications until September 30th to achieve a 20 on their ACT in order to qualify for the scholarship. The previous deadline was April, but the April tests have been canceled and LOFSA Executive Director Sujuan Boutte says they hope to schedule an A-C-T testing date in June…
cut 8 (07) “…safe”

The coronavirus is impacting children as uncertainty and change of routine has made life unpredictable…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

New testing is starting to become available for those who may have been an asymptomatic COVID-19 positive carrier and now have recovered and likely have immunity. State immunization director Dr. Frank Welch says the testing is not yet widely available in Louisiana but could be in the coming months.
Cut 10 (10) “…same test”

Governor Edwards has issued a proclamation that changes some of the eligibility requirements for TOPS. A high school senior still needs a 2.5 GPA to qualify, but they now have until September 30th to achieve a 20 on the ACT. LOSFA executive director Doctor Sujuan Boutte says some school districts will issue a pass-fail grade for classes that ended abruptly, but that will not impact a student’s GPA…
cut 9 (11) “….go up”
For more information go to LOSFA’s website.

Governor Edwards is encouraging small business owners to apply for assistance with payroll, rent and other operational expenses through the federal Paycheck Protection Program. Edwards says the state is also providing additional support through a new Louisiana Loan Portfolio Guaranty Progam…
cut 14 (12) “….through the SBA”
For more information go to Opportunity-Louisiana-dot-com-slash-COVID-19.

During this time of uncertainty, it’s typical for children to react in different ways and to varying degrees. LSU psychology professor Doctor Anna Long says maintaining a daily routine is vital…
cut 5 (08) “…and security”

Today marks the start of the third week of the governor’s stay at home order which resulted in the closure of several businesses leading to over 72-thousand jobless claims to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. In Louisiana, the maximum benefit for those who file for unemployment is 247-dollars a week, but Governor John Bel Edwards says the economic relief package approved by Congress will mean an additional 600-dollars a week for unemployed workers…
cut 13 (09) “…state benefit”
The L-W-C says they are still waiting for funding for that extra 600-dollars.

State Immunization Director Doctor Frank Welch says he’s waiting for a test to become more available that can determine if a person had COVID-19, but never knew they had the virus…
cut 11 (10) “…are still susceptible”
It’s called immune tests and Welch says a couple of hospitals in Louisiana have them.

High school students now have until September 30th to submit ACT scores to LOSFA to qualify to receive the TOPS scholarship. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

Louisiana had its biggest jump in reported deaths yesterday since the coronavirus outbreak began. The Louisiana Health Department reported 68 more fatalities to bring the state’s death toll to 477. Legendary Saints kicker Tom Dempsey died on Saturday night from complications of COVID-19. He was 73-years-old.

Governor John Bel Edwards has issued a proclamation that changes the deadline to achieve at least a 20 on the ACT until September 30th for potential TOPS students, instead of the traditional April deadline. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Executive Director Dr. Sujuan Boutte…
Cut 7 (09) “eligibility”
Boutte says they’re working with the A-C-T for a June testing date, even if restrictions are still in place.

The uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak makes it extremely challenging for families to reassure children. LSU Psychology Assistant Professor Dr. Anna Long says a change in a child’s behavior is typical during a crisis.
Cut 4 (11)_ “… are feeling.”

Many COVID-19 cases are undiagnosed due to someone being asymptomatic and never getting tested, but there is a test that can determine if someone had it without noticing and recovered. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The coronavirus is also impacting children as uncertainty and change of routine has made life unpredictable. An LSU psychologist offers some tips. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

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 High school students now have until September 30th to submit ACT scores to LOSFA to quility to receive the TOPS tutition scholarship. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle” 

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Many cases of COVID-19 going undiagnosed due to someone being asymptomatic and never getting tested, but now a new test can determine if someone had it without noticing and recovered. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The COVID-19 outbreak is not only impacting our physical health but mental as well. Unlike other disasters the uncertainty reality we are all facing makes it extremely challenging for families to reassure children.  LSU Psychology Asst Professor Dr Anna Long says a change in a child’s behavior is typical during a crisis.

Cut 4 (11)_ “… are feeling.”

Long says during this period be sure to reaffirm your child’s physical wellbeing and give them a perception of safety, for example, practical help, physical comfort, and emotional support. Long also says set a routine and stick to it.

Cut 5 (08)  “…and security.”

While many of us are working from home be prepared to make yourself more readily available to spend quality time with your children. Long says when children ask questions, be honest and reassure them but also let their questions guide the conversation

Cut 6 (12) “…to normal”

Long also stresses that parents should also manage their own stress because how they react has a significant effect on how their children will react.

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The deadline to submit ACT scores for TOPS qualification has been extended to September 30^th as the ability to take a test is non-existent at the moment.

LOSFA Executive Director Dr. Sujuan Boutte says a student would still need a 2.5 GPA and 20 on their ACT to qualify for at least some level of TOPS.

Cut 7 (09) “eligibility”

The traditional April national ACT test was delayed until June, and Boutte says they’re working with ACT to try to make June a possibility even if restrictions are still in place.

Cut 8 (07) “…safe.”

If a student has already taken an ACT, LOSFA will begin running eligibility on those scores in June.

Many school districts are now moving to Pass/Fail grades for classes due to school closures. Boutte says those will not impact your existing GPA, for better or worse.

Cut 9 (11) “…go up″

If you have any more questions about TOPS and COVID-19 Boutte recommends visiting LOSFA’s website and reading the Q&A section.

______________________________________________

New testing is starting to become available for those who may have been an asymptomatic COVID-19 positive carrier and now have recovered and likely have immunity.  State immunization director Dr. Frank Welch says the testing is not yet widely available in Louisiana, but could be more available in the coming months.

Cut 10 (13) “…for Hepatitis B.”

Welch says this could bring peace of mind to those that haven’t shown serious symptoms.

Cut 11 (10) “…are still susceptible.”

Welch says this testing could be most useful in strategic hospital staffing.

Cut 12 (12) “…get it again.”

_________________________________________

With the Governor’s extension of virus spread mitigation measures through April keeping many businesses closed, unemployed Louisiana residents are wondering where their next paycheck is coming from.  Governor Edwards says the financial impact of COVID-19 is something that weighs heavy on his mind, adding the state is doing everything it can to expedite relief to those without an income.

Cut 13 (09) “…state benefit.”

Governor Edwards says in addition to loan programs available at the federal level, the state is working with banks to back loans to keep businesses afloat.

Cut 14 (12) “through the SBA.”

Edwards says the timeline of getting the economy back on track is reliant on what happens with the virus’s spread.

Cut 15 (11)“…possibly can.”

Governor Edwards says Louisiana has the highest death rate in the nation for COVID-19 and based on what we know about hospital admissions and coronavirus fatalities, the virus is more prevalent than initially thought.  Underlying health conditions are a major factor. Louisiana’s modeling data shows the state is on course to require 2,500 new hospitalizations a day in the New Orleans area by mid-May if the public does not adhere to mitigation measures.  The White House is reportedly set to recommend Americans wear a facemask while out in public to halt the spread of coronavirus. Edwards says if the CDC does call for masks it likely would not be an order.

Cut 8 (12) “…right now.”

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.

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 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.”

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”