Governor John Bel Edwards says 28-percent of all new COVID cases are children, which he says points to the reason why face coverings are required in schools. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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Ochsner reports monoclonal antibody treatments have been highly effective in limiting COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths. Matt Doyle has the story.
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The state reported nearly six thousand new COVID-19 cases on Friday. Governor Edwards says for the last couple of days 28-percent of all new cases are in children and this is troubling with schools re-opening
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Edwards says transmission among children is very high which is why a mask mandate is in place for schools…
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Two public meetings in Baton Rouge this week were disrupted by anti-mask protesters, upset their children are forced to wear a mask, calling it child abuse. But Edwards says everyone has a role to play in slowing the spread of COVID and failing to do so can have lethal consequences
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Ochsner has administered about 9,700 monoclonal antibody treatments to COVID patients across New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the Northshore. Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says the treatments have been highly effective.
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At Ochsner’s Lafayette facility Thomas estimates they are administering about 300 to 400 treatments a week.
Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says they’ve received additional help from paramedics in running their infusion suites, and can now offer the treatment within a day or two of qualification.
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System Hospital Quality Director Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says the treatment is a passive immunotherapy that can prevent hospitalizations and deaths but is not a permanent solution.
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Governor Edwards says 176 providers are administering this treatment statewide.
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While there’s lots of focus on being vaccinated for COVID, healthcare professionals are also reminding the public to remember to get their annual flu shot. In order to make the process for both as convenient as possible Walmart Market Health and Wellness Director Mohamed Salem says you can do both at any of their stores.
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Salem says another convivence the store has added is the ability to schedule an appointment for your shots and it’s only a click away.
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Salem says while flu season typically peaks in the winter months, it is hard to think flu season in the dog days of summer but it’s best not to procrastinate.
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Salem says they are observing COVID protocols and pharmacists are administering the doses. He says most flu shots are free per your health insurance and all COVID vaccinations are free.
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We’ll see some of the highest heat indexes of the year this weekend with temps around 110 degrees in South Louisiana.
State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ve been lucky to hate some recent storms keep the temperatures down but that won’t be the case for the next few days.
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Heat indexes in north Louisiana will be lower due to the lack of humidity, but still at or over 100 degrees.
It’s brutal weather but Keim says at least this high-pressure system is pushing tropical storm systems away from the Gulf of Mexico.
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Until this heatwave passes Keim says be careful, and be safe because this level of heat and humidity combined can be very dangerous.
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