As the number of coronavirus cases soar in Louisiana, state officials are scrambling to find more ventilators. The state health department says 163 hospitalized patients are on ventilators and 300 new ventilators are expected to be in New Orleans by early next week, but Governor John Bel Edwards is still concerned…
cut 12 (10) “…as well”

The U-S Senate approved a massive two-point-two trillion-dollar stimulus package last night that will result in direct checks to most Americans. Senator John Kennedy says the legislation also contains 350-billion dollars for small businesses…
cut 8 (09) “…loan is forgivable”
The House is expected to vote on the measure on Friday.

With COVID-19 patients pushing hospitals closer to exceeding capacity and front line personnel running short on masks, seamstresses and hobbyists are volunteering their talents toward filling those voids in a campaign called the 100 million mask challenge. Philomena Martrain grew up in Baton Rouge and was visiting her parents when the stay at home order came down.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…things I have.”
Martrain picked up sewing masks techniques from YouTube tutorials and has scrounged together the materials for production, including elastic headbands from a dollar store.

65 people are dead from the state’s 1,795 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The total number of cases is an increase of 407, the largest single-day rise in the state since the discovery of the first case just over two weeks ago. Governor Edwards calls the jump sobering and concerning.

Northwest Louisiana is now home to what will be one of the most prolific COVID-19 testing labs in the region thanks to LSU Health Shreveport. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The White House and Senate leaders have agreed on a two-trillion dollar emergency funding bill that will provide cash to most Americans. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the legislation calls for adults who make less than $75k annually to receive $1,200 check and each child will receive $500.This particular legislation only calls for a one-time payment to citizens, but Graves says he isn’t ruling out the possibility of another payment in the future.

Cut 14 (11) “…going to take.”

Officials with Ochsner says they are treating 271 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and nearly 300 more patients who potentially have the virus. Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says not only are they seeing more COVID-19 patients but their stay in the hospital is more extended.

Cut 5 (11)  “…in the ICU.”

65 people are dead from the state’s 1,795 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The total number of cases is an increase of 407, the largest single-day rise in the state since the discovery of the first case just over two weeks ago. Governor Edwards calls the jump sobering and concerning.
Ochsner Health answers about their current status in meeting the demand for COVID-19 patients. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

Schools have been shut down for a week and a half and will remain that way through at least April 13. The federal government has already granted the state’s request to suspend end-of-year testing and school and district performance scores. Governor Edwards says it’s upsetting that kids are not in school, but keeping children at home will help slow the spread of the coronavirus
Cut 11 (09) “…population”
The White House and Senate leaders have agreed on a two-trillion dollar emergency funding bill that will provide cash to most Americans. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the legislation calls for adults who make less than $75k annually to receive $1,200 check and each child will receive $500. Graves says it is deficit spending that results in the tab being picked up by future generations.
Cut 13 (12) “…are worth it.”

The state is now reporting 1,795 positive cases of COVID-19 and the death toll has reached 65.  In a matter of two weeks, the state went from no reported cases to just under 18-hundred.  23 of the reported 65 deaths are less than 60 years old. The youngest death reported is age 36 and the oldest is 98. Louisiana now has the third-highest rate of confirmed cases per capita.

The House will vote on an economic stimulus package that will provide a financial lifeline to most Americans.  Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says adults who make less than $75k annually will qualify for $1,200 and an additional $500 per child.

Cut 12 (11) “…eligible for this”

Married couples with a household income under $150,000 will receive $2,400.

Officials with Ochsner says they are treating 271 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and nearly 300 more patients who potentially have the virus. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart says they do have an adequate supply of personal protective equipment right now but they have asked staff to use them conservatively.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…normally do.”

LSU Health Shreveport opens a COVID-19 test processing lab that at peak capacity will be able to process 1,000 tests a day with a turnaround of only 24-48 hours.  Chief Innovation Officer Drew Mouton says the team has been pulling 18 to 20-hour days to get the facility online, and… 

Cut 8 (09) “…the mouth.”

The lab will not gather samples on-site, it has samples shipped to them from other locations.

The state is now reporting 1,795 positive cases of COVID-19 and the death toll has reached 65.  23 of the 65 deaths are less than 60 years old. Louisiana now that the third-highest rate of confirmed cases per capita. The Bayou State is also the fourth state to receive a federal disaster declaration due to the coronavirus. Governor Edwards requested the designation Tuesday night, adding Louisiana to a list that includes California, Washington, and New York.

Officials with Ochsner says they are treating 271 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and nearly 300 more patients who potentially have the virus. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart says they are redeploying some of their personnel

Cut 3 (10)  “…these patients.”  

LSU Health Shreveport opens a COVID-19 test processing lab that at peak capacity will be able to process 1,000 tests a day with a turnaround of only 24-48 hours. Chief Innovation Officer Drew Mouton says two weeks ago they drew up plans for a facility that uses viral RNA extraction to generate tests that are among the most accurate in the world. 

Cut 7 (09) “…yesterday.”

Schools have been shut down for a week and a half and will remain that way at least until April 13. Many parents are wondering if their child will be able to advance to the next grade level or graduate from high school if classes do not resume or if the school calendar is shortened. Governor Edwards says the department of education is developing a plan…

Cut 10 (07) “…hopefully soon.”

The state now has 1,795 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 65 deaths. An increase of 407 cases in one day. The youngest death reported is age 36 and the oldest is 98.

Officials with Ochsner says they are treating 271 patients who have tested positive and nearly 300 more patients who potentially have the virus. CEO Warner Thomas says not only are they seeing more COVID-19 patients but their stay in the hospital is more extended.

Cut 5 (11)  “…in the ICU.”

Schools have been shut down for over a week and will remain closed at least until April 13th. Governor Edwards says they are looking at different options on when kids could go back to school, but for the time being…

Cut 9 (10) “…instructional materials″

Northwest Louisiana is now home to what will be one of the most prolific COVID-19 testing labs in the state thanks to LSU Health Shreveport… 

Cut 2 (32) “…” 

Governor Edwards is looking for options to unburden hospitals before they reach overflow of COVID-19 patients. Edwards says an official decision is expected to be announced in the next day or two. An option is moving people who are COVID-19 positive but aren’t in critical condition out of the hospitals and into other isolation facilities to recover to free up more hospital rooms and intensive care units for patients in urgent need.

65 people are dead from the state’s 1,795 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The total number of cases is a one-day rise of 407.
Officials with Ochsner says they are treating 271 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and nearly 300 more patients who potentially have the virus. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart says they do have an adequate supply of personal protective equipment right but they have asked staff to use them conservatively.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…normally do.”
LSU Health Shreveport opens a COVID-19 test processing lab that at peak capacity will be able to process 1,000 tests a day with a turnaround of only 24-28 hours. Pathology Professor Dr. Chris Kevil says the lab is vital because one of the key ways to combat coronavirus is to test, test, test…
Cut 6 (11) “…the chain”
The lab will not gather samples on-site, it has samples shipped to them from other locations.

A housing crisis may be coming in the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo ” 

President Trump has approved Governor Edwards request for a disaster declaration which means the feds will reimburse state and local governments for the costs of battling the coronavirus outbreak, so far the state has spent 71-million dollars. Edwards says residents need to do their job and that’s to follow his stay at home order…
cut 14 (11) “…flatten the curve”
Edwards is concerned the New Orleans area will surpass its medical capacity in early April.

Officials with Ochsner says they are treating 271 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and nearly 300 more patients who potentially have the virus. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart says they are redeploying some of their personnel…
cut 3 (10) “…these patients”
As COVID-19 takes a toll on our mental health a Clinical Psychologist from LSU Health New Orleans offers some coping skills.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

All Louisiana State Parks and State Historic sites have been temporarily closed to the public. LSU has announced May commencement ceremonies has been postponed. Governor John Bel Edwards was asked yesterday whether schools will re-open this year. Edwards says it’s his hope that they will.
cut 2 (05) “…the year”

President Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for Louisiana as the state reports nearly 14-hundred coronavirus cases and 46 deaths. Governor Edwards is urging Louisiana residents that we need to flatten the curve in order to prevent medical facilities from being overwhelmed. His statewide “stay at home” order began Monday night and he’s encouraged by how serious the public has taken his call…
Cut 15 (12) “…people to comply.”

Louisiana residents are used to hunkering down for hurricanes but staying at home through April 13th because of a pandemic is a daunting task for most. LSU AgCenter registered dietitian Sandra May says it is important to stock up on nonperishables, but you may have to think outside the box for other items…
Cut 4 (13)_ “…from the shelves.”

A housing crisis may be coming in the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo ” 

Governor Edwards is also looking for options to unburden hospitals before they reach overflow of COVID-19 patients. Edwards said in a news conference Tuesday, and an official decision is expected to be announced in the next day or two. An option is moving people who are COVID-19 positive but aren’t in critical condition — out of the hospitals and into other isolation facilities to recover to free up more hospital rooms and intensive care units for patients in urgent need. Hotels and vacant college dorm rooms are among the options

The President has approved Governor Edwards request for major disaster declaration which allows for more resources to be available for the state. Edwards citied numbers showing the state has the third highest number of COVID-19 cases per capita and new projections that indicate the New Orleans area will run out of healthcare capacity by April 4th, and… 

Cut 13 (08) “…timeframe on that.”

Currently the state has just under 1,400 cases and 46 deaths.

Evictions and foreclosures may be on hold in Louisiana due to the shutdown of courts, but that situation doesn’t get tenants off the hook when it comes to paying rent or a mortgage. Spokesperson for the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center Maxwell Ciardullo  says the future seems dire without housing assistance from the federal relief bill being negotiated.

Cut 10 (11) “…open back up.”

A majority of workers in the state are working from home and some find themselves unemployed and/or caring for children at home now as schools are closed.  Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore with LSU Health New Orleans says as we undergo huge life changes, we must learn to be flexible during this uncertain time.

Cut 9 (08) “…unnaturally″

For free Counseling you can call the Louisiana Department of Health’s Keeping Calm Through COVID Hotline at 1-888-310-7977.

Louisiana residents are prepared for hunkering down for flooding and hurricanes but staying at home through April 13th can still feel like a daunting tasl  to prepare for. LSU AgCenter registered dietitian Sandra May says while it’s a good idea to have some snacks, May says it’s important not to go crazy with junk food.

Cut 5 (10)  “…things like that.”