Two people have died from the coronavirus in Louisiana and Governor John Bel Edwards says data shows per capita the state has one of the highest rates of infections in the nation. Edwards says his proclamation that bans gatherings of more than 250 people is serious, and is being done to flatten the curve.
Cut 13 (12) “…healthcare.”
The state is reporting 103 cases of coronavirus. Most of them are in the New Orleans area. The ballooning number of NOLA based cases didn’t keep people from packing into bars on St. Patrick’s Day. NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson begged residents to observe social distancing…
Cut 6 (11) “…weaker system.”
If businesses refuse to participate in the ban on large gatherings, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell threatened to revoke their liquor licenses.

Health experts say there are plenty of companies hoping to cash in on the COVID-19 pandemic with super-cures and immune-boosters, regardless of effectiveness. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State lawmakers return to the capitol today for the second week of the legislative session. Ten committee hearings are set set for today. The three-month long session will end June 1st. But because of the spread of the coronavirus, there’s a chance the session could end early, so lawmakers are putting more of an emphasis on bills that must be passed.

Public access into the building will be limited. Fewer people will be allowed in the committee rooms and in the House and Senate chambers. Also, social distancing will be practiced.

Also individuals entering the capitol will have their temperature checked. If a person has a fever, they will not be allowed in. People who pass the fever test, will receive a special sticker for the day

Legislative desks, podiums, committee rooms and all flat surfaces will be wiped down with disinfectants.

Republican legislative leaders say after consulting with medical professionals, they’re taking the necessary CDC precautions so the Legislature can continue to function, so they can meet their constitutional responsibilities.

So what are lawmakers taking up today, House Appropriations will hear from the department of transportation and the office of public services and corrections.

At 9:30, House Commerce will consider the bills to adopt daylight saving time as the standard time.

All public schools are closed today through April 13th. The state department of education has secured a waiver from the federal government that enables schools to serve meals to all children 18 and younger regardless of their location and income during the school closure period. A parish-by-parish list of school meal sties can be found at Louisiana-believes-dot-com.

The state saw it’s first two deaths from the virus over the weekend, and Governor Edwards says we expect the total number of cases to continue rising…

Cut 13 (12) “…healthcare.”

At this time last week, Louisiana did not have a single known case of COVID-19.  In the time since, the Governor has banned gatherings of 250 people or more and canceled k-12 school through April 13^th.  This morning, state health officials announced the number of presumptive positive coronavirus cases in Louisiana has grown to 51. A majority of the cases are in the greater New Orleans area with 36 cases in Orleans Parish and 7 cases in Jefferson Parish.
With this past week’s announcement that the French Quarter Fest has been moved to October, a similar announcement is expected for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.  The Advocate newspaper is reporting an announcement of the festival’s plans is likely to come early this week.  If canceled or rescheduled, it would be a first in the festival’s 51-year history.  AEG, the festival’s co-producer, has already moved two of its other major events, California’s Coachella and Stagecoach, to October as well.  Jazz Fest is currently on the schedule for the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May.
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces a delay to the upcoming election in light of the coronavirus. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

COVID-19 may be on everyone’s minds, but seasonal viruses and problems are still lingering.  LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says one way to tell if you have COVID-19 or just the regular seasonal flu is…

Cut 12 (12) “COVID.”

Lopez says the flu is still prevalent and it’s not too late to get a vaccine.

The number of presumptive positive coronavirus case in Louisiana has grown from 36 to 51. A majority of the cases are in the greater New Orleans area with 36 case in Orleans Parish and 7 cases in Jefferson Parish. Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson, has pledged to cover the wages for Smoothie King Center employees who have lost out on paychecks because the NBA’s suspension for the next 30 days. Williamson made the announcement of the commitment on his Instagram. The nearly-18,000 capacity arena could be vacant for quite some time as the governor has banned gatherings of 250 people or more and cancelled k-12 school through April 13^th.
COVID-19 may be on everyone’s minds, but seasonal viruses and problems are still lingering. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says the flu is still prevalent and it’s not too late to get a vaccine. Lopez says symptoms come on about five days after exposure, and there’s really three symptoms that stand out in a clear majority of COVID-19 infections.

Cut 13 (10) “…severe.”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces in light of the current events, the upcoming elections in the state will be postponed, and as a result the April 4^th election will be moved to June 20^th.Ardoin met with the Governor’s Office, Unified Command Group and Health officials and a consensus was reached that delaying the Presidential Primary elections is in the best interest of public safety.

Cut 10 (10) “…is conducted.”

The National Federation of Independent Business says a majority of small businesses are reporting being impacted by the coronavirus.  Don Molino has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Don Molino” 

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces in light of the current events, the upcoming elections in the state will be postponed, and as a result the April 4^th election will be moved to June 20^th. Ardoin says the state has 3-million registered voters that vote at more than two-thousand polling locations across the state.
Cut 9 (12) “…population.″
Ardoin met with the Governor’s Office, Unified Command Group and Health officials and a consensus was reached that delaying the Presidential Primary elections is in the best interest of public safety.

The National Federation of Independent Business says 74% of businesses are reporting they are not currently being impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.  NFIB state director Dawn Starns says about 18% of small business owners are not concerned about the pandemic at all.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…are slightly concerned.”

COVID-19 may be on everyone’s minds, but seasonal viruses and problems are still lingering. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says the flu is still prevalent and it’s not too late to get a vaccine. Lopez says symptoms come on about five days after exposure, and there’s really three symptoms that stand out in a clear majority of COVID-19 infections.

Cut 13 (10) “…severe.”

While everyone’s attention is focused on COVID-19, a suspected Capitol City arsonist is believed to have targeted four buildings last night, resulting in the complete destruction of a lawyer’s office.

Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesperson Curt Monte says they do believe the cases were related.

Cut 6 (09) “…related.”

Two vacant houses, an office building, and the attorney’s office were targeted.

The Southeastern Conference has shut down all sports, including spring practices for the national champion LSU football team through April 15th. Athletic Director Scott Woodward said there’s nothing more important than the health and well-being of their student-athletes, staff and community. He says it’s an extraordinary measure, but necessary for the greater good.

That means LSU’s Spring game for April 13th is canceled as well as LSU’s Pro Day on April 3rd. The NFL is also prohibiting all in-person pre-draft visits involving prospects, because of the coronavirus concerns. Teams can only talk with players by phone or video conferences.

The NCAA’s Council Coordination Committee has reportedly agreed to grant an extra year of eligibility for players who had their seasons cut short in spring sports this season. A decision is pending on whether an extra year will be given to players in winter sports.

_______________________________________________________

There were games played in Louisiana yesterday as the LHSAA went ahead with its state basketball championships, but no fans were in the arena. In Lake Charles, Alexandria won its first state title beating Bonnabel 38-37. Port Allen also won its first state tile as the Pelicans knocked off two-time Two-A champion Rayville 78-74. And Pleasant Hill also won the Class C title, defeating Hicks HIgh 71-58.

On the select side. St. Thomas More defeated U-High 57-56 to win its third straight championship.

There are four more championship games to be held today in Lake Charles, starting at two o’ clock with the Class 3A campionship as Bossier will face Wossman.

And Kudos to Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson, the number one pick has pledged to cover the wages for Smoothie King Center employees who have lost out on paychecks because the NBA’s suspension for the next 30 days.

K-12 schools in Louisiana will be shut down until April 13^th as the state registers three more presumptive positive tests for COVID-19, putting the total at 36.

The pandemic has shuttered nearly every professional and college sport in America, putting thousands of jobs at risk. In response, Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has volunteered to cover the salaries of all Smoothie King Center employees for the next 30 days.

The April 4^th primary election has been postponed until June 20^th. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin met with the Governor’s Office, Unified Command Group and Health officials and a consensus was reached that delaying the Presidential Primary elections is in the best interest of public safety.

Cut 10 (10) “…is conducted.”

If officials feel that June 20th is not ideal they will revisit the decision.

COVID-19 may be on everyone’s minds, but seasonal viruses and problems are still lingering. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says one way to tell if you have COVID-19 or just the regular seasonal flu is…

Cut 12 (12) “COVID.”

Lopez says the flu is still prevalent and it’s not too late to get a vaccine.

The National Federation of Independent Business says 74% of businesses are reporting they are not currently being impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.  NFIB state director Dawn Starns says of those that are seeing disruption, 46% are reporting slowed sales.

Cut 3 (09)  “…supply chain disruption.”  

Starns says about 18% of small business owners are not concerned about the pandemic at all.

COVID-19 is leading to the postponement of nearly every major professional sport in the US and Europe. The NBA, NHL, MLB, English Premier League, and now the Masters have been postponed due to the epidemic.

But locally, not all sports are being put on hold. Jeff Palermo has the story on the state high school boy’s basketball tournament…

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The fears over the coronavirus have resulted in the cancellation of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball tournament. No March Madness and no College World Series or Women’s College World Series. The decision to cancel the College World Series caught many people in the college baseball world by surprise.

The SEC and many other leagues have already canceled all sporting events through March 30th, but LSU announced it will cancel all on and off campus activities through May 30^th, effectively signaling that it is unlikely there will be a baseball season.

The NCAA announces students who lost their spring seasons due to COVID cancellations will be provided with an additional year of eligibility, but the mechanics of that have yet to be worked out, and the decision could be difficult to reconcile with professional leagues.

The Major League Baseball has halted spring training and Opening Day which was scheduled for March 26th has been halted for at least two weeks.

It’s unlikely a new CBA will be reached between the NFL and players, which would trigger salary cap provisions that could deal a hefty blow to the Saints.

Three new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in New Orleans, bringing the total up to 36. 26 are currently in Orleans Parish, three in Jefferson Parish, two in St. Tammany, and one in St. Bernard and St. Charles Parish. Eight of the cases involve those living at Lambeth House, a nursing home in New Orleans.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced this morning in light of the current events the upcoming elections in the state will be postponed, and as a result, the  April 4^th election will be moved to June 20^th. Ardoin says the state has 3-million registered voters that vote at more than two-thousand polling locations across the state.

Cut 9 (12) “…population.″

All K-12 schools in the state are closing until April 13^th, and LSU is canceling all on and off-campus activities until May 30^th.

The National Federation of Independent Business says 74% of businesses are reporting they are not currently being impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, and NFIB state director Dawn Starns applauds Governor Edwards’ handling of the pandemic.

Cut 5 (13)  “…will be mitigated.”

Starns says about 18% of small business owners are not concerned about the pandemic at all.

COVID-19 may be on everyone’s minds, but seasonal viruses and problems are still lingering. Dr. Fred Lopez with LSU Health New Orleans says COVID-19 won’t present like those typical seasonal illnesses.

Cut 13 (10) “…severe.”