83 people are dead from the state’s 2,305 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including a 17-year-old from New Orleans, the first minor to die from the coronavirus in Louisiana. Governor Edwards says it is a reminder that everyone is at risk.
Cut 10 (11) “…it doesn’t discriminate.”
Orleans Parish has the highest per capita death rate in the U-S and the state is moving beds into the New Orleans convention center as hospitals could soon be overrun by patients.

More near-record heat today across the state. Can the high temperatures slow down the spread of COVID-19? Our Lady of the Lake Infectious disease specialist Doctor Catherine O’Neal says no…
cut 14 (12) “….its own”

You can still buy a lottery ticket, but winners can not claim any prizes over 600 dollars at the moment…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Lincoln Parish Sherriff deputies are visiting homes, not because they have a warrant, but because they have groceries. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Matthew Henderson says they started doing grocery pickup for the elderly this week and have expanded to helping others that are at-risk.
Cut 7 (09) “…Ruston as well.”

At the county or parish level, Orleans Parish now leads the nation in per capita deaths, more than twice as many as the 2^nd highest county. The 46 coronavirus linked deaths in the parish add up to roughly 1 in 10,000 residents. That’s as the state total rose to 83 fatalities today and 2,305 total positive tests.

That’s led to some like Congressman Ralph Abraham, a doctor currently doing volunteer shifts at a clinic in his native Richland Parish, to call for the expanded use of experimental drugs like the oft-talked about anti-malarial hydroxychloroquine.

Cut 10 (08) “others.”

The President has also touted the treatment, but small scale studies of hydroxychloroquine on COVID-19 patients have yielded mixed results, and a Kaiser Family Foundation director labeled it a “drug of last resort”.

Four people are dead, including a 2-year-old, following crash in Baton Rouge where a vehicle impacted a house, killing one of the home’s residents. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says he’s not sure why the three people in the vehicle were out driving last night with the governor’s shelter in place order in effect and few businesses open.

Cut 7 (09) “…get through this.”

As the coronavirus forces the economy into a freefall, oil and gas prices continue to drop. Patrick DeHann, Head of Petroleum Analyst with Gas Buddy says while some might see a reduction at the pump as a relief while their personal income has been reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic, however…

Cut 5 (08)  “…low prices.”

The average price for a gallon of gas in Louisiana is currently 1.85, with speculation that the price could drop as much as another 50 cents in the coming year.

83 people are dead from the state’s 2,305 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The latest fatalities include the state’s first juvenile to die from the virus. Governor Edwards projects the New Orleans area will run out of hospital bed space by April 7^th.
Congressman Ralph Abraham backs the use of experimental, or off-label treatments for COVID-19. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

As the coronavirus forces the economy into a freefall, oil and gas prices continue to drop. Patrick DeHann, Head of Petroleum Analyst with Gas Buddy says prices at the pump for the month of March continue to drop and oil prices are the lowest we’ve seen in eighteen years. DeHaan says even with $1.85 being the statewide average they have seen prices far lower than that in certain parts of the state.
Cut 4 (07)_ “…Baton Rouge.”
Four people are dead, including a 2-year-old, following crash on Progress Road in Baton Rouge.  Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says last night around 9:30, a driver lost control, hit a tree, a fence, then a house, killing three in the vehicle and one occupant of the home. Coppola says the massive loss of life compounds the already tragic situation.

Cut 8 (06) “…you had four.”

Governor Edwards sounds the alarm about the increasingly alarming situation in the New Orleans area, saying current projections show the region’s medical system running out of ventilators by late next week, and out of hospital beds by the week after that.

This information has led him to authorize turning the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans into a stand-up hospital, aiming to eventually house 1,120 beds at the location at peak capacity.

676 COVID patients in the state are in the hospital, 239 on ventilators and Congressman Ralph Abraham says for those at most risk, doctors should start considering experimental treatments…

Cut 9 (10) “…decision″

Abraham singled out hydroxychloroquine as one potentially useful off label treatment. Small scale studies have shown mixed results for the treatment. 

As the coronavirus forces the economy into a freefall, oil and gas prices continue to drop. Patrick DeHann, Head Petroleum Analyst with Gas Buddy says prices at the pump for the month of March continue to drop and oil prices are the lowest we’ve seen in eighteen years. DeHaan gives an update on Louisiana.

Cut 3 (09)  “…a year ago.”  

The statewide average is currently 1.85

Four people are dead, including a 2-year-old, following crash on Progress Road in Baton Rouge.  Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says last night around 9:30, a driver and two passengers were in an Oldsmobile traveling at a high rate of speed when control of the vehicle was lost.

Cut 6 (06) “…a residence.”

The crash claimed the lives of 56-year-old Patrick Dunn, 22-year-old Destiny Nelson, 28-year-old Jamarcus Brown and 2-year-old Jamarcus Brown Jr.

Eighteen more people have died of COVID-19 in Louisiana from yesterday, and the state’s total of cases now sits at 2,305 positive tests. The growing number of cases has led Congressman Ralph Abraham, a doctor, to call for doctors to consider using non-FDA approved “off-label” drugs to treat COVID-19. Abraham says even though experimental drugs like hydroxychloroquine may have side effects, they should be considered for patients in dire situations.

Cut 11 (11) “…with”

Small scale studies of hydroxychloroquine on COVID-19 patients have yielded mixed results.

Gas prices have crated to 1.85 a gallon in Louisiana, and Patrick DeHann, Head Petroleum Analyst with Gas Buddy says drivers shouldn’t celebrate.

Cut 5 (08)  “…low prices.”

Four people are dead, including a 2-year-old, following crash on Progress Road in Baton Rouge that impacted a house.  Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says the investigators continue to search for answers.  Coppola says the massive loss of life compounds the already tragic situation.

Cut 8 (06) “…you had four.”

56-year-old Patrick Dunn, an occupant of the home, and front passenger 22-year-old Destiny Nelson both died at the scene.  The driver, 28-year-old Jamarcus Brown and 2-year-old passenger Jamarcus Brown Jr. died after being transported to the hospital.

Saints QB Drew Brees commits $5 million dollars to help feed Louisiana residents who are struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Second Harvest Food Bank President and CEO Natalie Jayroe says Second Harvest currently has the ability to crank out 2,000 meals per day and the contribution will help to increase that number.

Cut 14 (07) “…that is hunger.”

There’s been another big jump in coronavirus cases and deaths. Louisiana health officials reported an additional 510 cases of COVID-19 today bringing the state’s total number to 2,305. Eighteen more people have died since yesterday’s update. The total number of fatalities is 83 and that includes a 17-year-old from Orleans Parish. That’s the first minor from Louisiana who has died from COVID-19.

Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham, who is also a physician in Richland Parish, is encouraging doctors to use experimental treatments on patients who have severe symptoms. President Donald Trump has touted n anti-malarial drug called Hydroxychloroquine. The treatment does not have FDA backing, but Abraham says anecdotally…
Cut 10 (08) “others.”
But the Kaiser Family Foundation says hydroxychloroquine should be a “drug of last resort” due to its side effects.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees helped the region recover from Hurricane Katrina now he’s trying to help residents who have been impacted economically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s donating five-million dollars so that 10-thousand meals per day can be delivered throughout Louisiana. Second Harvest Food Bank President Natalie Jayroe says this will help with feeding those that have lost employment and seniors who are finding it hard to buy food, plus…
Cut 13 (10) “…meals as schools.”

Four people in Baton Rouge have died after a car traveling at a high rate of speed crashed into a house. A two-year-old in the vehicle is one of the victims. Two other people in the car died and a person inside the home was also killed. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola is not sure why the three were driving around…
cut 7 (09) “….get through this”