In about ten days Louisiana has gone from zero known cases of coronavirus to about 400, with the New Orleans area being the largest hot spot. Governor John Bel Edwards says under a worst-case scenario the state’s health care system in southeast Louisiana will be overwhelmed. He says there’s a need for more medical staff, ventilators, masks and hospital beds. Edwards says they’ve asked for help, but…
cut 11 (10) “…country”
New Orleans now rivals Seattle in per capita cases of COVID-19.

Saints Coach Sean Payton is the first person from the NFL to test positive for COVID-19. Payton said he started not feeling well on Sunday. The 56-year-old does not have a high fever or respiratory issues and he’ll spend the next few days quarantined at home.

The state is offering free mental health counseling to help people manage anxiety from the COVID-19 crisis. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Crawfish sales are way down as restaurants are prohibited from having dine-in sales and officials have asked people not to get together in large groups. Vermilion Parish farmer Christian Richard says the governor should allow food stamp recipients to use their benefits to buy crawfish…
cut 9 (08) “….up more business”

Governor John Bel Edwards delivers a sober analysis of where the New Orleans area may be heading under current worst-case projections…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Nearly 400 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Louisiana, as the number of cases rose by over 100 yesterday. The state is reporting ten people have died, but WWL-TV is reporting an eleventh death, the first one from St. Tammany Parish.

The crawfish industry is suffering major losses as the state goes into partial shutdown during the heart of the crawfish season. Vermilion Parish farmer Christian Richard says Lent is their best time of the year, but sales are way down because of restaurant closings and social distancing…
Cut 7 (09) “…to wind down.”
Richard says some people are buying sacks of crawfish to boil at home, but it’s a small amount.

Some state parks are being used to house people who have symptoms associated with Coronavirus and they are awaiting a positive test result. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the use of individual cabins is a better idea than using hotel rooms for the same purpose…
cut 14 (13) “…use it again”

Governor John Bel Edwards warns Louisiana’s healthcare system could be overwhelmed within the next seven to ten days by COVID-19 cases without federal assistance. Edwards says the state’s trajectory of case growth is on the same path as Italy.
Cut 10 (10) “making that.”
Italy has surpassed China to lead the world in COVID-19 related deaths at 3,405. Coronavirus has claimed ten lives in Louisiana and WWL-TV reports St. Tammany Parish has its first death. Edwards is concerned about not having enough health care workers, hospital beds and ventilators and expressed that concern with the President during a video conference call with other governors.

There are 392 cases of coronavirus in Louisiana. Rapides Parish recorded its first case yesterday.

The state is offering free counseling for anyone experiencing stress or anxiety from the COVID-19 outbreak. Medical Director for the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health Dr. James Hussey says the line is open 24 hours a day with trained counselors.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…if necessary.”
The phone number is 1-866-310-7977.

Crawfish farmers say COVID-19 could not have come at a worse time…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

392 people in Louisiana have tested positive for the coronavirus including Saints Coach Sean Payton and state Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson. Ten people have died from the virus and Governor John Bel Edwards says under a worst-case scenario, Louisiana is seven to ten days away from having its health care system overwhelmed as the cases continue to soar in the New Orleans area…
cut 12 (14) “…population”
Orleans Parish is home to 249 confirmed cases, 69 in Jefferson Parish.

Three state parks are being used to isolate people who are awaiting their coronavirus test results. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says the test subjects are from nursing homes, the homeless, and people who do not have anywhere else to go.
Cut 13 (10) “to be treated.”

The state is offering free mental health counseling to help people manage anxiety from the COVID-19 crisis. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Twenty-six of the state’s 64 parishes are reporting cases. Orleans and Jefferson Parishes are the top two. Following them its St. Tammany and Caddo. Each has 10.

Louisiana is now reporting 392 positive cases of COVID-19, and 10 deaths related to the virus, and the OMV is now closing all offices effective tomorrow as a result.

One of the newest reported cases is Saints head coach Sean Payton, who says he wasn’t feeling well so he went and got tested. The result came back positive despite him not running a fever.

All this COVID-19 concern has Louisianans flocking to gun stores, but Gun shops are finding it hard to keep their shelves stocked.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The price of oil is hovering in the mid 20 dollars a barrel, prices not seen since the early 2000s.  The price collapse is hammering the industry, and Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs warns that even if the COVID crisis breaks in the next few weeks, American industry is still threatened by Russia and OPEC, who are purposefully overproducing to deflate prices.

Cut 5 (06)  “…future.”

Last night the price of oil dropped below 21 dollars a barrel.

Congress is rushing to complete an economic stimulus package to help an economy heading towards a recession. The economic stimulus package that being discussed could one-trillion dollars or more. Senator John Kennedy says  it will also contain money for businesses to help them keep employees on the payroll

Cut 13 (12) “…will help”

Governor Edwards says at the current rate, Louisiana is about 7 days from exceeding its health care capability. The state is now reporting ten deaths and 392 positive coronavirus cases. Among those, Saints head coach Sean Payton has tested positive after not feeling well, but not having a temperature. The Office of Motor Vehicles is closing physical locations effective Friday. Online services will remain in effect.
The price of a barrel of oil is hovering in the mid 20 dollar range, prices not seen since the early 2000s.  The price collapse is hammering the industry, and Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says America’s oil sector cannot operate at sub 40 dollar a barrel prices for long.
Cut 4 (07)_ “…on”
Briggs warns that even if the COVID crisis breaks in the next few weeks, American industry is still threatened by Russia and OPEC, who are purposefully overproducing to deflate prices.

Guns and ammo sales are seeing a huge surge as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Owner of Meaux Guns in Baton Rouge Joe Meaux says he’s seeing more first-time gun owners making purchases as well as casual gun owners coming in and stocking up.  Three categories of firearms are seeing the most demand.

Cut 10 (12) “…shooters to shoot.”

According to ammo.com, Louisiana’s increase in ammo sales is only being outpaced by Delaware and Oklahoma.

Congress is rushing to complete an economic stimulus package to help an economy heading towards a recession. Senator John Kennedy says they are also looking to help small businesses as they plan to provide 300-billion dollars in government-guaranteed loans to small businesses and they will be administered through banks

Cut 14 (11) “…get it.”

The Office of Motor Vehicles is closing physical locations effective Friday. Online services will remain in effect. The state is reporting ten deaths and 380 positive coronavirus cases. Among those, Saints head coach Sean Payton has tested positive after not feeling well, but not having a temperature. Orleans Parish is leading the state with the lion’s share of the cases. Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional medical director of the Office of Public Health in Acadiana, says there’s no evidence of community spread in Lafayette Parish…

Cut 8 (09) “…may change.”

Guns and ammo sales are seeing a huge surge as a result of the Guns and ammo sales are seeing a huge surge as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Owner of Meaux Guns in Baton Rouge Joe Meaux says the access to ammo is restricted as supply is struggling to keep up with demand at gun shops across the state.

Cut 9 (10) “…to get from.″

Congress is rushing to complete an economic stimulus package to help an economy heading towards a recession. Senator John Kennedy says the White House is calling for a family of four to receive a three-thousand dollar check and that money would arrive as a direct deposit in three weeks.
Cut 12 (12) “…mid-May”

The price of oil is hovering in the mid 20 dollars a barrel, prices not seen since the early 2000s.  The price collapse is hammering the industry, and Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says this will have a direct effect on industry workers.

Cut 3 (11)  “…unsettling.”  

Briggs warns that even if the COVID crisis breaks in the next few weeks, American industry is still threatened by Russia and OPEC, who are purposefully overproducing to deflate prices.

Saints head coach Sean Payton becomes the first person in the NFL to be diagnosed with the coronavirus. Payton reports not feeling well and being fatigued, but not having a fever or persistent cough. He says he plans to self-quarantine and recover.
These are tough times for Louisaina and the United States, but LSU Coach Ed Orgeron has these words of encouragement…
cut 18 (10) “….we will win”
Orgeron had the opportunity to sit in on Governor Edwards’s Unifed Command Group as they discussed the state’s response to the coronavirus.

The Saints announced today that they have signed defensive tackle David Onyemata to a three-year contract. The four-year NFL vet started in 15 games last season and had three sacks and one pass defensed. He helped New Orleans rank fourth in run defense.

New Orleans has also confirmed they’ve inked long-snapper Zach Wood to a four-year contract. Veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins is also returning to the Saints on a four-year deal. The former first-round draft pick helped the Black and Gold win a Super Bowl. He also earned a ring with the Eagles.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankley is leaving the door open that spring football might continue later this spring. But he admits there’s a narrow chance of it happening as the cases of coronavirus continues to pile up and health officials are recommending social distance as one of the best weapons to fight off the disease.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is still hopeful the 2019-20 season can resume this year. With postseason play possible this summer, it could result in the league permantly shifting its schedule, so that it starts in December, instead of October.

In other NFL news…the Rams have decided to release Todd Gurley and lienbacker Clay Matthews in an effort to clear up some salary cap space. Gurley is a former NFL Offensive Player of the Year but he’s never really been the same since a knee injury late in the 2018 season.

The Rams have re-signed former LSU Tiger and West Monroe standout Andrew Whitworth. Whitworth is 38-years-old and has spent the last three seasons as the left tackle for the Rams. Prior to that, he spent 11 years with the Bengals.

UPDATED REVISED SEAN PAYTON

Sean Payton has released information that he has tested positive for COVID-19 Louisiana hospitals could be overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients in seven to ten days, Gov. John Bel Edwards told President Trump of the dire information on a televised conference call today. The bleak outlook is based on a series of new models Louisiana leaders reviewed this week that predicts how many total positive cases the state can expect in the coming days.

Currently, the state is reporting 10 deaths and 380 positive cases

Oil prices continue their steep collapse, Matt Doyle has more on what that means for the state…

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Congress is rushing to complete an economic stimulus package to help an economy heading towards a recession. The economic stimulus package that being discussed could be one-trillion dollars or more. Senator John Kennedy says it will also contain money for businesses to help them keep employees on the payroll

Cut 13 (12) “…will help”

Guns and ammo sales are seeing a huge surge as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Owner of Meaux Guns in Baton Rouge Joe Meaux says background checks are also being slowed down by the surge.

Cut 11 (08) “…on those too.”

According to ammo.com, Louisiana’s increase in ammo sales is only being outpaced by Delaware and Oklahoma.

by Delaware and Oklahoma.

The state is reporting eight deaths and 347 positive coronavirus cases an increase of 67 from yesterday. New Orleans leads the state with 231 positive tests for coronavirus. Dr. Tina Stefanski regional medical director of the Office of Public Health in Acadiana says Lafayette has just two cases and there’s no evidence of community spread.

Cut 8 (09) “…may change.”

Congress is rushing to complete an economic stimulus package to help an economy heading towards a recession. Senator John Kennedy says they are also looking to help small businesses as they plan to provide 300-billion dollars in government-guaranteed loans to small businesses and they will be administered through banks

Cut 14 (11) “…get it.”

Gun shops are finding it hard to keep their shelves stocked. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Louisiana Congressmen Steve Scalise announces he is in self-quarantine after extensive contact with one of the first two members of congress to be diagnosed with COVID-19. The Republican representative issued a statement that he has chosen to go into to isolation based on the guidance of the attending physician of the US Congress, but is not currently showing any symptoms of the virus.