State health officials went before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to give a COVID-19 update as the number of cases in Louisiana rises to six. The virus is shuttering schools around the world, but State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry says kids seem to handle to virus well, and there’s risks in sending them home…

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Guidry says unless teachers begin to fall ill, or large numbers of students are infected, schools should maybe stay open.

While the focus of many may be on coronavirus, Louisiana is still dealing with an intense flu season. Assistant state health officer Dr. Joseph Kanter says the seasonal flu should still not be taken lightly as it can be devastating for both younger and older people.

Cut 7 (09) “…in the country.”

Some of the biggest festivals in the nation are getting canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus.  The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival which, takes place over the course of ten days and welcomes around 400,000 visitors each year is still on.  State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says COVID-19 is not going to spread well in an open-air environment, but…

Cut 11 (07) “…and utensils.”

Houma Representative Beryl Amedee files a series of vaccine-related bills as the Capitol copes with the coronavirus. One of the bills requires healthcare workers to explain the side effects of vaccines and another would prevent employers from requiring vaccines.  Amedee says she is not sure whether or not the spread of COVID-19 will help or hurt her cause, but…

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The state has seen six coronavirus cases so far, all in the New Orleans area.

The number of presumptive coronavirus cases in Louisiana is up to six after state health officials confirmed three more cases last night. All of the patients are from the New Orleans area, which prompted the city of New Orleans to cancel St. Patrick’s Day parades and other outdoor events. Doctor Frank Welch with the state office of public health on how they are working with event organizers….
cut 10 (11) “…mutual decision”

There’s so much focus on the coronavirus, what’s happening with the flu? In a typical season, the regional baseline for the percentage of doctor visits for flu-like symptoms is just below 4 percent. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says statewide rates are outpacing that number.
Cut 8 (10) “…we’re at 9.8%.”

Houma Representative Beryl Amedee files a series of vaccine-related bills as the state copes with the growing threat of coronavirus. Amedee says one of her bills mandates healthcare providers to provide patients more information about what is in their vaccines, and potential side effects.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…happening.”
Amedee says another one of her bills would prevent employers from requiring their workforce to be vaccinated.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says a bill that would prohibit local governments from filing lawsuits against energy companies because of damage to the coast could become a big issue in the 2020 session. Pinsonat says Governor Edwards supports the lawsuits, but there could be enough votes for this to pass…
cut 14 (11) “…veto”

The state health department has confirmed three new presumptive positive coronavirus cases to bring the total number of cases in the state to six. All of the patients are from the New Orleans area, which prompted Mayor LaToya Cantrell to cancel all St. Patrick’s Day Events. Doctor Frank Welch with the state office of public health says COVID-19 does not spread well in an open-air environment…
cut 11 (07) “….utensils”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says given the information from the CDC, he sees no reason to cancel any events or festivals.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office says a body found yesterday is believed to be that of James Gunnels, an elderly man who has been missing since he left an assisted living facility in Alexandria about a month ago. His truck was found on Valentine’s Day in Morse and a farmer found his body several hundred yards away from his truck.

Coronavirus fears have taken attention away from the seasonal flu, but health officials warn it’s still necessary to be vigilant.
voicer 2 (32) “… I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Houma Representative Beryl Amedee has a bill in the legislative session that would prevent employers from requiring their employees to be vaccinated. She says this legislation was inspired by complaints from nursing students…
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Anti-vaccine legislation is not expected to advance far in the legislature.

The number of coronavirus cases in Louisiana now stands at six as state health officials confirmed three new presumptive positive cases last night. So far all six cases are from the New Orleans area. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says one of the patients is in the I-C-U.

A series of vaccine-related bills have been filed by a Houma representative that may cause some controversy as COVID-19 numbers rise…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Assistant state health officer, Doctor Joseph Kanter, says while most of the public is concerned with the coronavirus, the state continues to suffer from an intense flu season as nearly 10-percent of all doctor visits are because of flu-like symptoms. Kanter says with more people taking action to prevent the spread of coronavirus, they are also helping in the fight against the spread of the flu.
Cut 9 (09) “…both of those.″
The best protection from the flu is getting vaccinated.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says a bill to keep an eye on in the 2020 legislative session would prevent local governments from filing suit against oil and gas companies for damage on the coastline. Pinsonat says the governor opposes the measure, but there are enough votes in the Senate to get it passed…
cut 15 (11) :,,,session”

State health officials confirm three new presumptive positive coronavirus cases, bringing the state’s total to six. The three new cases are residents of Orleans Parish and so far all of the patients are from the New Orleans area. That’s led New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to cancel public events this weekend, including St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s parades. Doctor Frank Welch with the state office of public health has these steps to help avoid spreading the virus…

cut 12 (12) “….are spreading around”

The flu bug continues to make the rounds in Louisiana. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says nearly 10-percent of all doctor visits are for the flu…
cut 7 (09) “….in the country”

Houma Representative Beryl Amedee files a series of vaccine-related bills as the state copes with the growing threat of coronavirus. Amedee says one of her bills mandates healthcare providers to provide patients more information about what is in their vaccines, and potential side effects.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…happening.”

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects the legislature will have a bitter fight this session over the right for local governments to sue oil and gas companies for damage to their coastlines. Pinsonat says it would likely result in fewer suits filed against the oil and gas industry.
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Pinsonat says Governor Edwards supports local governments’ ability to sue oil companies because of coastal damages.

The governor confirmed three new presumptive coronavirus cases last night, bringing the state’s total to six. The three new patients live in Orleans Parish. The six known cases in Louisiana are from the New Orleans area, which prompted Mayor LaToya Cantrell to cancel all parades and second lines scheduled for this weekend.

Festival season is right around the corner, could we see more cancellations or postponements? Kevin Barnhart has more…
cut 3 (32) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

There’s been so much focus on the coronavirus, what’s happening with the flu? In a typical flu season, the regional baseline for the percentage of doctor visits for flu-like symptoms is just below 4 percent. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says currently, the national and statewide rates are outpacing that number.
Cut 8 (10) “…we’re at 9.8%.”

Bills have been filed in the legislative session to loosen vaccine requirements. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee has a measure that would ban employers from requiring employees to be immunized. Amedee says she’s not sure if the spread of the coronavirus will help or hurt her cause…
cut 6 (12) “….the bills”

Coronavirus fears have many lawmakers at the Capitol avoiding the customary hugs and glad-handing.  Many lawmakers were business as usual before Monday’s news of the state’s first case broke. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says he shook a lot of hands earlier in the morning…

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Governor Edwards announced this afternoon two more presumptive cases of coronavirus, bringing the grand total to three in Louisiana.  All are in the New Orleans area.
Six people have been arrested in a human trafficking sting executed by north Louisiana law enforcement.  Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says the arrests took place at an area hotel.

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Three of those arrested were also hit with drug charges.

Washington Parish Sheriff’s deputies make an arrest in the shooting death of 17-year-old Ja’Quarius Taylor.  Taylor was shot in the head three times in January and his body was found in a wooded area near the town of Angie.  Chief Deputy Mike Haley says their suspect is the victim’s cousin, 20-year-old Jo’Andre Dawson. Haley says the family expected the suspect would be someone Taylor knew.
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Bond is set at $800,000.
A New Iberia woman is dead and her boyfriend, 59-year-old Luis D. Valdez is charged with second degree murder. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendell Raborn says deputies were dispatched to the scene in reference to a possible homicide just before 10 PM Saturday night.
Cut 9 (12) “…the victim deceased.″

The manner of death has not been released and the victim has been identified as 38-year-old Stephanie Worley.

The state added two new presumptive cases of coronavirus today, and lawmakers are mentally preparing to put aside their natural inclination to glad hand and kiss babies for the next few months as they hunker down in Baton Rouge for the 2020 session. Before giving his opening address to the Legislature the Governor avoided handing out his customary handshakes. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris noticed that, but says he won’t be deterred by COVID-19…

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Several other lawmakers interviewed said they would begin refraining from their usual handshakes. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson says she’s keeping Purell and Lysol on her at all times, and wants there to be a universally agreed upon contact policy at the Capitol…

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COVID-19 won’t be keeping Governor Edwards from pursuing his agenda this year…

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A series of bills has been filed by Houma Rep Beryl Amedee that would require doctors disclose more information to patients about vaccines, and bar employers from requiring employees be vaccinated. Amedee says current events are likely to raise the bill’s profiles….

Cut 6 (12) “….the bills” AM 3-11