Louisiana is now reporting 2,305 positive cases of COVID-19, with 83 deaths, up from 1,795 cases and 65 fatalities yesterday. 676 COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized, with 239 of them on ventilators. 53 of the state’s 64 parishes now have a confirmed case.

As these numbers continue to increase, so does the number of people calling for the expanded use of non-FDA approved experimental treatments for COVID-19 patients. Congressman Ralph Abraham is one of those advocates.

Cut 9 (10) “…decision″

Abraham touted what he says are anecdotally good results from the use of an anti-malarial drug called Hydroxychloroquine. 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”.

The average gas price in Louisiana has dropped to $1.85 a gallon. Brooke Thorington talks to a Petroleum Analyst on the outlook for the Bayou State.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

Saints QB Drew Brees commits $5 million dollars in an effort to help Louisiana communities that are struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Second Harvest Food Bank will be among the avenues in which the money will be used, and President and CEO Natalie Jayroe call Brees a true leader in the community.

Cut 12 (09) “…can’t be understated.”

Governor Edwards says the rising number of new COVID-19 cases in Louisiana is alarming, and it appears the state has not yet begun to flatten the curve.  

Edwards says the state is going to have to stick with the shelter in place measures as long as it takes to make them pay off because right now the situation is not improving. 

Cut 10 (07) “…people.”

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 to the lowest levels 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.”

COVID-19 is resulting in a shortage of masks needed for the protection of medical professionals on the frontline of treatment, but a social media challenge hopes to fill that void.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

In addition, protecting the community the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office is now offering to pick up and deliver groceries to at-risk members of the community who can’t leave their homes due to the coronavirus. Public Information Officer Mathew Henderson says the response has been tremendous so far and the deputies say they enjoy it too.

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 state currently has 1,795 cases of the virus and 65 reported deaths

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

Cut 3 (09)  “…a year ago.”  

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.

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.”

Someone in the home was also killed in the wreck.

Governor Edwards presented some dire news about the state’s current growth in cases and the ventilator situation in the New Orleans area. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30)  “…Jeff Palermo”  

The State Department of Health has now identified six nursing home clusters of the coronavirus outbreak, an increase from three. But the department reversed course on releasing the names of the new facilities identified. The previously named clusters are Lambeth House, and Chateau de Norte Dame both in New Orleans and Chateau D’Ville in Donaldsonville. On Tuesday the department said they were investigating St James Place in Baton Rouge. On Wednesday The Advocate reported cases at Vista Shores Living and Memory Care Facility in New Orleans.

The Senate passes $2.2 trillion stimulus bill. Senator John Kennedy breaks down some of the allocations of the emergency funding bill, outside of the money that will provide cash to most Americans.  The state is expected to receive $1.8 billion. Kennedy says the legislation stacks more federal dollars onto Louisiana’s unemployment maximum benefit of $247 a week.

Cut 7 (07) “…that’s per week.”

The bill now goes to the house for a vote on Friday.

With a shortage of personal protective equipment at hospitals, seamstresses are volunteering their talents toward filling the void as part of what has been deemed by sewing circles as the million-mask challenge.  Philomena Martrain who now lives in the Florida Panhandle, came back to her native Baton Rouge to assist following the 2016 floods.  Martrain says the calling to help one of the hardest-hit areas comes naturally.

Cut 6 (07) “…I was raised.”

Louisiana reported 407 new coronavirus cases yesterday and 19 more deaths, bringing the total to 1,795 positive cases and 65 fatalities. Governor John Bel Edwards says the state has yet to flatten the curve…
cut 10 (07) “…people”
Edwards says he’s concerned about not having enough ventilators, he says they are set to receive 300 more ventilators next week, but they might need 600 more.

The U-S Senate has approved a two-point-two trillion-dollar economic rescue package that will provide a direct check of 12-hundred dollars per adult for most Americans. Senator John Kennedy says the package also contains billions of dollars for large businesses…
cut 9 (13) “….rate of interest”
Kennedy says the total aid heading to Louisiana is one-point-eight billion dollars.

Baton Rouge native Philomena Martrain is one of many who is participating in a campaign called the million mask challenge. Hospitals are facing a shortage of N95 masks so regular citizens like Martrain are on their sewing machines making them. She watched how to make the masks on you-tube and bought some elastic bands at a dollar store…
cut 5 (11) “…I sew it”

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson’s teams are shut down, but she’s trying to help those impacted by COVID-19 through her Community Assistance Fund. Benson donated one million dollars to the fund and says she’s inspired by the charity and solidarity she’s seeing in New Orleans.
Cut 13 (09) “…come back.”
To hear the entire interview go to pelicans-dot-com.

Louisiana has 1,795 positive cases of Coronavirus and 65 deaths. Governor John Bel Edwards says the growth in cases is very alarming. The state health department says 491 of the patients are hospitalized and 163 of them are on ventilators. Edwards says the ventilator situation is concerning because many patients already rely on ventilators for other respiratory issues…
cut 11 (12) “…alarming”
Edwards says the only way for the state to flatten the curve is to adhere to his stay at home order and practice social distancing. Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson echos those remarks…
cut 15 (05) “…guidelines”
You can hear the entire interview with Benson at pelicans-dot-com.

Last night the U-S Senate approved a two-point-two trillion-dollar economic rescue package that will provide businesses, workers and the health care system with much-needed cash. Kevin Barnhart has more from Senator John Kennedy…
voicer 2 (32) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

And the two-point-two trillion-dollar relief bill will also provide one-time direct payments to Americans, 12-hundred dollars per adult for those that makeup to 75-thousand dollars a year.

The House is expected to vote on the measure tomorrow.

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.”