Cases that come back positive hospitalizations are increasing.
Clear to me that the current restrictions are not enough. The appeal to the Louisiana citizens is not producing the results that are needed.
Yesterday was the highest day of new cases.
Today we report 2,166 new cases and a case positivity of 11.3%
Both yesterday and today exceeded 10% for case positivity.
Yes, we are testing more people. This is good, a test does not create a case it tells you where you have cases. So yes we are seeing more of the cases that are out there.
Thus far in the month of July, we are 11 days in, and we have almost met our monthly goal of 200,000 tests with over 195,000 tests reported as of today.
As recently as June the 19th we were 10th in the country for cases per capita now we are number 3.
Our rate is not just higher for Louisiana but for all of those states that were previously ahead of us.
We are number 3 behind New York and New Jersey.
We cannot go back to a time where we are running out hospitals and ventilators.
Yesterday alone we added 75 new inpatients today was 65 more.
June the 13th we had 532 people in the hospital today we have [____].
Fauci says we need better compliance with mask usage, physical distancing, and limiting crowd sizes.
We have been extremely patient to have compliance from the community but we are moving a little further.
Trying not to ever move back to Phase 2 or Phase 1.
Need to balance between the virus, the economy, and opening up schools.
Staying in Phase 2 until at least July 24th with some changes starting Monday.
Masks are mandated statewide for 8 years of age or older unless they have a health condition that prevents them from wearing a mask.
Strongly suggested that children between 2-7 wear them
Parishes can opt-out of this mandate if they do not have a high incidence of COVID-19 only 3 parishes currently qualify:
Grant
Red River
West Feliciana
All bars closed to on-premises consumption but may do curbside pickup.
Indoor social gatherings are limited to 50 people.
50% occupancy remains for businesses.
Informal backyard gatherings are the largest contributor to spread think birthdays, baby showers, weddings, etc. Instances where you only invite your close relatives and close friends. But your close relatives and friends may have COVID-19 and they are not part of your immediate household.
If you have these types of events you need to keep them as small as you can, wear masks, physical distance, and try to hold them outdoors.
Changes go into effect Monday night right after midnight so there is time to comply. Orders will stay in place until at least July 24th.
Mod Note: Monday at midnight for this instance means 12:01 AM Monday, so it will start right after midnight today.
These decisions are based on White House guidance and guidance from public health experts.
Vice President Pence will be coming Tuesday and the White House Task Force been encoring the public to follow local and state orders to follow mask mandate. They encourage mask mandates for where cases are increasing rapidly [like here in Louisiana].
Face masks order follow CDC guidance. Masks are mandated statewide for anyone 8 years of age or older.
Exemptions to mask-wearing:
Have a health condition that prevents you from wearing a mask.
Anyone eating or drinking.
Anyone communicating to the speech impaired.
Anyone who is giving a public speech.
Anyone removing face covering for identification purposes.
And anyone who is part of a parish who has opted out of the mandate.
High incidence of COVID = 100 new cases per 100,000 people per 2 week period.
3 parishes are below that threshold, Grant, Red River, West Feliciana Parish.
Even if your parish opts out it is strongly encouraged that everyone wears a mask when outside the household. Just because these are the least affected parishes does not mean there is not COVID there. There is COVID-19 in every parish.
If you have are vulnerable you are always safest at home. (Those over 65, diabetes, obesity, etc.)
At the end of the day, while I know this will be unpopular and controversial with some, we know face masks work. It is that simple. The vast majority of the spread of this disease comes from people talking, sneezing, coughing, and the mask helps contain the virus from being spread to neighbors.
None of these steps were ones that I wanted to take, but they are essential.
Typically there is a 14-day lag between a change in behavior and when that change shows up in the numbers and there is an even longer lag time for the change in deaths. So we will not see any changes [from mandating masks or closing bars] in the near future.
(We have no reason to believe the numbers we have been reporting are going to get any better, they are likely to getworse.)
Bars have been proven to be hotspots for the spread of coronavirus. It may not be true for every bar, but it is true for many of them. Thanks to the many bar owners for complying with restrictions, this is not meant to punish anyone.
Identified at least 36 outbreaks from bars impacting over 400 people. We know that number is much higher. All of this has happened in Phase 2 when bars were opened. We also know that leading the spread in recent weeks has been a younger age group more likely to frequent bars. This age group continues to be a big driver of cases.
Younger people are spreading COVID19 to older people who are becoming ill in growing numbers.
Public health officials believe that bars have a higher risk than other businesses due to the social aspect, having to speak louder over music, keeping the mask off to drink, etc. Alcohol diminishes decision making.
I know this will be challenging and unpopular but it is necessary and the right thing to do under these circumstances. We cannot let this illness win. If you, like me, are interested in keeping most of our economy opened and not regrew back in phases, or open schools next month, these things (wearing a mask or closing bars) is a minor price to pay.
This should not be a political issue. Someone how there has been a political issue that has come up around masks. You will see that people of both parties will be stressing the absolute importance of wearing a mask.
Dr. Joe Canter (LDH)
At the end of the day this I about the perseveration fo human life.
Mask mandate follows CDC guidelines for high incidence.
High incidence of COVID = 100 new cases per 100,000 people per 2 week period
61 out of 64 parishes currently meet this definition.
3 parishes are below that threshold, Grant, Red River, West Feliciana Parish.
The level of COVID incidence is high in the overwhelming amount of parishes of Louisiana.
If you are battling a disease you need to know what you are fighting and where it is, which his what testing does. If you do more tests you will find more positives. When we look at cases we look at multiple measurements like percent positivity, which is increasing. The large spike at the end of March and April when CPR increases to 30% is when we were highly restrictive in who we tested which artificially inflated the percent positivity.
Over the last week, (Jun 22-July 5th asmeasured by date of collection, the percent of positivity was 15.3%. Highly concerning number.)
A lot of people who test positive are asymptomatic and spread it to their community or other family members.
Young adults aged 18-29 accounts for the largest grouping of COVID cases.
Over the past week or 2, we are seeing what we feared we would see which is further spread from younger adults to older individuals.
COVID has a real propensity to spread, we had no expectation it would stay within the 18-29 age bracket. The most recent data is now showing us that the virus is indeed spreading from those younger adults to older individuals.
**(In Phase 2 if you have a vulnerability, are increasing in age, or have a serious underlying medication condition, the risk to you and your personal health is greater and you need to think twice about the risk you take on.
Maybe you shouldn't go out. Maybe someone should make food for you.
Families should support these individuals.
Staying inside and distancing is the safer thing to do.)**
We have leading signs and lagging measures. Cases are on the leading sign and fatalities are on a lagging measure. We know that in Louisiana individuals who will die from COVID-19 become symptomatic 16 days before that fatality.
Concerned we will see increasing hospitalization and increasing deaths.
We have already doubled the number of patients hospitalized with COVID from the middle of June.
Differences between these two peaks are the first time around it was focused on New Orleans, shows the case growth to date without New Orleans. This is a statewide problem and we look similar to Florida or Texas were. We are not as far along but we need to turn this around.
The good news is we have already beaten this once we can do it again.
Dr. Neal of OLOL Regional Medical Center
We knew when we went to Phase 2 we would see a little more community spread resulting in a few more admissions so we were prepared for that.
We were not prepared for the steep escalation in hospitalizations we began to see 10 days ago and cases have not quadrupled.
We have too many people in our hospitals.
When our hospitals get full it is incredibly hard to care for everyone.
Of our patients that are in the hospital, 1/3 are in the ICU.
The youngest is 25 and had no medical conditions when they entered the hospital.
Patients in their 20s, 30s, 40s are in the ICU struggling for their lives.
This is a nightly occurrence in the hospital.
**(This takes a tremendous team to do that work and that team can no longer offer care to all those who need it.
Those that need for bypass surgery, joint replacement -- they haven't been able to walk in 6 months, or those that have a mass that may be a malignancy.)**
We cannot allow this in the community anymore, we have to be better stewards so the whole community is healthier from all of their illnesses, and not just COVID19.
We all need to wear masks by doing that we protect our community, each other, and our families. This is how we continue being safe in our homes and not wind up in the hospital as patients with COVID19.
Think about each and every interaction you have with another individual, keep your distance, try to have that interaction by Zoom, or by phone.
We know that this works, and we know that if you do it we can continue to provide everyone the continued quality of care we expect every day.
Dr. Rainey Winfield Sports Medicine Physician
Truly concerned about overwhelming the healthcare system as it exists today.
Seen COVID in all demographics.
Symptoms have evolved from 3 symptoms to 9 symptoms.
New symptoms in the Millenials of migraines headaches, stomach issues, and diarrhea.
Increased mental health issues in the community are being seen as well.
Assure you that the healthcare system cannot be successful unless the public plays its part by socially distancing, washing hands, and WEARING YOUR MASK
Mask wearing works. Respiratory droplets can go up to 12 ft so if you wear wearing a mask it protects those around you. We are in a position now that we are losing lives by something that can be prevented.
Take this seriously and listen to what is going on.
Gov. John Bel Edwards
Misspoke, this is in effect Monday morning not Tuesday as previously stated. It goes into effect at 12:01 AM Monday morning.
Shout out to the medical professionals. There has been no one who has stepped up as tremendously and it runs the entire gamut of the medical profession.
As Louisiana, we owe it to them to not overburden them.
We can prevent it, we have done it before. We do not need to go back to other Phases to do it. We need to follow the CDC and White House Guidelines to slow the virus.
Let's be good neighbors and realize we all have a role to play.
This opportunity will not last forever, now is our time. You cannot. wait till next week or next month or there will not be time left by then.
Questions
Is mask mandate for indoors only or outdoors as well. How will be it be enforced It is indoors and outdoors when you cannot be physically distanced from others. When you go into an office building or retail establish or restaurant etc unless you meet one of those exceptions that mask needs to be on. If you are outside and are in close proximity with others you need to have a mask on. This mandate applies to all locations. There are exemptions for individuals and those 3 parishes if they choose to opt-out. If they were to opt-out, CDC guidance does not change and everyone is encouraged to wear masks if they can. Businesses will be required to tell people they need to have a mask on. Businesses can accept a representation from someone saying they meet one of those categories of exceptions. Other than placing law enforcement officers at every building there is no way to do it. There is not a goal to go out there and write citations. We want people to comply. We want businesses to make the effort to put up the signs and if someone does not meet the exception and refuses to wear a mask and if they don't leave they are trespassing. The mandate applies to churches but we will not be enforcing it in churches. WE will not be writing up pastors or doing those things. They are encouraged to understand that that setting where people are there for over an hour it is important for those individuals to wear a mask. If you were to cite a business what would the penalty be? Is it a fine? If so how much? I'll get that answer to you. That will not be the first resort. When we go to a business we remind them of the requirements. The first efforts are always going to be to pressure compliance and not a fine. Will citations be for business owners or.. The owners. Will you be pulling back on elective surgeries The office of public health has not told me that that is something they are recommending right now. There are hospitals around the state who have different staffing issues and they may choose to make a different decision for themselves. This has not been raised to a statewide level where I, the governor, would need to consider that. There are 3 major issues hospitals are facing:
Testing turnaround times.
Remdesivir availability.
Staffing.
Medical exemptions for earring a mask. DO people need to carry a doctors note if they meet one of the exemptions Business owners have the right to ask you to put on the mask so if you have someone that can document that it would be good to have it on your person but owners are not required to ask you for that. Conditions that meet exemption for mask-wearing. Tiny minority fo people meet these.
Respiratory issues where wearing a mask puts you in danger.
Children are younger than 2.
Case by case basis.
**The larger point to be made, if you have a condition that you think makes it untenable to wear a mask, it is also likely the case that you are at increased vulnerability for COVID. You really need to look at your own risk profile and if it is worth doing the activities that you would like to do. [(Mod note: aka why are you going out if your respiratory function is that comprised that you cannot wear a mask)] In terms of casinos will they be limited Limitations only have to do with social gatherings, not businesses. Phase 2 occupancy requirements remain in place for commercial businesses. The only businesses that are affected by the new occupancy limitations are bars and event spaces. Why bars and not restaurants Data we have shows that restaurants do not pose the same risk of transmission as bars. Restaurants with bars in them can seat people at the bar as an extension of the seating area for the consumption of food. Does guidance apply to State employees Yes, both to employees and the general public entering a public building. Texas has begun to send ATF out to shut down businesses. We haven't issued any penalties it's more a warning system. Do you think this is working? Why not be stricter with enforcement Well, I just announced I am closing every bar. I do not know how to be more categorical than that. Last time I got an update we visited more than 3,100 commercial establishments. What I can tell you is that the vast majority of those were not out of compliance and if they were they got into compliance quickly. Likely it was something simple like employees wearing masks around their necks and not their faces. I have instructed that for repeat business offenders to start issuing citations so I believe you will start seeing that going forward. I've said from the very beginning a public health emergency of this nature if the people of Louisiana are going to insist that we enforce our way through it we will not be successful. We will continue to have people unnecessarily spreading this disease and then other people through no fault of their own, they may be the most responsible citizen out there, they may contract it because someone in their vicinity is choosing not to be a good neighbor. Then these individuals will go to the hospital and fill that bed and cause all of the problems for the hospital system and its providers, affecting not only the COVID community but anyone that's in need of medical service. To those people of Louisiana who say "well, we are not going to listen to any of that and we are going to make them enforce our way through it. Then we will be unsuccessful but I believe in Louisiana, we are better than that. Our people have always been good and resilient. We are faithful people. We know what it means to be a good neighbor. Now is a good time to be a good neighbor. If you don't like the mask mandate then don't like it, but wear your mask anyway if you are going to be out in public. If you want to criticize me, then criticize me. I understand this is going to be controversial. So be it. It the right thing to do. It's the essential thing to do. But don't sit back and say we will only be successful if we enforce our way through it. That is the wrong attitude. Can you talk about how the decision for the VP to come to Baton Rouge came to be and the testing issues that may be discussed? Many things made Louisiana an obvious place to come. We are back to #3 in the country for COVID19 cases per capita. They picked BR specific to do surge testing, one of 3 areas around the country to get above our baseline of 5,000 people. We haven't met that yet, but we are working towards it. Because of the steep increase in cases in BR but even steeper increase in positivity in BR. Louisiana has been on radar front and center for the White House Coronavirus Taskforce since the beginning. We have never come off their radar. I think that is. why he is coming here. While he is here he will talk about higher education and what we are doing to safely resume on-campus in-person instruction on time. What that mix of education of in-person and distance learning will look like. Plus LSU is the current national champion and he gets to come down be on that fine university. We will meet in a large space in the club on the south end of the stadium. Did you talk to Clay about the new mandate or the petition gaining speed because of this? I speak to lawmakers frequently and had the opportunity to talk to them specifically about the proclamation I am signing today. I make sure they are getting regular updates and they see the number and trajectory they are on. So by the time we make these decisions, it is in their mind that this is something we may do. Yes, I had the opportunity to speak with them. The first time we have a surge in the state there was an awful lot of people who said that only affected Orleans or Jefferson Parish and not us, but that is not the case today. This is literally statewide. The hottest area in the state is in Lake Charles and the second hottest is in Lafayette. I think the petition would be a tremendous mistake. For us to be the only state without a public health emergency when we are number 3 in the country cases per capita, our positivity is over 15%, we have the highest case growth we've had in the entire public health emergency, our hospitals are filling up again, and all the coordination and resources we need to make available, and all of the coordination we need to do with the Federal government, not to mention making sure we are able to take advantage that they can only send to Louisiana IF we have a declared public health emergency, and the ability to take advantage of the Stafford act? All that would be threatened by a silly partisan petition. They can do if they want but that would be a tremendous mistake and the people of Louisiana will pay a higher price. I urge members not to sign it and if they did sign it to have their names taken off of it.
Final Comments
We've been here before, we can get back on top of this and start driving cases down.
We all have a role to play.
Be a good neighbor.
Being a good neighbor means do not make that personal visit. You wear your face mask when you re outside your home and are in proximity to others who are in your household. Wash your hands often. Stay home when you're sick. Take care of those people whoa re especially most vulnerable.
You are safer at home always.
If you re out and about do not patronize a business that is not operating safely.
Pray for our state and our country.
Confident we will get through this.
It'll be easier and quicker if more people comply with what we are asking you to do.
WATCH LIVE 2:30 PM Governor John Bel Edwards COVID-19 Press Conference
During the last press conference, Governor Edwards stated that the next conference would take place the same time next week, and as of 9:30 AM, there hasn't been an announcement stating otherwise. I will update this post if the time changes. LINKS TO WATCH
We have had 3 weeks going in the wrong directions with cases and hospitalizations. Whatever we discuss today does not reflect what happened this weekend. Why do I mention this? We know Memorial Day was when our numbers stopped getting better and started getting worse. I pray the same is not the same for 4th of July.
We have lost all progress made in June and are seeing some numbers that rival our peak in April.
Today we report 1,891 new cases and case positivity is slightly over 10% (*Mod note: it is 10.4%).
95% of cases today are community spread with only 5% coming from a congregate setting.
Reporting 20 additional deaths for a Toal of 3,231 deaths from COVID-19 for the state of Louisiana.
There is a slight dip in hospitalizations (only 3 less than yesterday) but we are very concerned about the numbers we are currently seeing. We are also concerned with the conversations we are having with the hospital CEO's and Medical directors.
The total of hospitalized with COVID-19 is 1,022, the last time we over this was on May the 19th.
Hospitalizations have doubled since June the 13th.
Recent case growth reflects the majority of cases are young people, with the majority of cases coming from those below 30 years of age.
Difference between today and 2.5 months ago, is 2 months ago our numbers were driven by the New Orleans area, particularly Orleans and Jefferson parishes as well as the river parishes. [Back then] it was only one region of the state that was fueling rapid growth and high numbers. The rest of the state did not see cases to that extent. [Now] we are seeing more even growth in hospitalization and cases across the state. We are beginning to look like Texas.
We have a statewide epidemic, not one that driven by a couple of Regions
Testing sites are slow to get test results returned. Today the delay is due to a lack of reagent in the Commercial Labs. Because they do not have the amount of the necessary component they cannot report their results in a timely manner. This is being worked on as we speak.
We are concerned about the delays because we want to know if people are positive, people may be asymptomatic, may not be taking the proper precautions by quarantining, and be unnecessarily exposing others to the virus.
It is critical for anyone who has been exposed to someone who has tested positive to the virus to self-quarantine for 14 days while you wait for your test results.
If you have been in close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive, EVEN IF YOU TEST NEGATIVE YOU NEED TO QUARANTINE FOR 14 DAYS you may have contracted the virus but may not have had the appropriate viral load to be detected when you were tested.
Some good news with testing surge testing in Baton Rouge got up and running yesterday, but was short-lived due to the bad weather. The White House Task Force chose 3 cities in the United States for this type of testing. This should tell you all you need to know about whether we have a serious situation and if it is getting worse. WE do and it is.
The goal is to test 5,000 people above the baseline and get a better idea of just how many cases are in the Baton Rouge area.
You do not need to a resident of BR you can live by a nearby parish and get tested.
You can be tested if you are symptomatic, or been exposed.
You can also be tested if you are not symptomatic.
[LIST OF 5 SITES]
Testing will run until July 18th.
Pre-register DoINeedACovidTest.com (registration is not required).
More info can be obtained by calling 2-1-1.
This morning there was a conference call with about 20 hospital CEO and medical directors from across the state to get an update directly from the field.
Nearly every CEO and MD on the call reported sustained increases in COVID-19 hospitalizations. We have completely lost the gains we made over the past couple of months and its all happened in less than 3 weeks. Very concerning.
Some people continue to believe this state of Louisiana continues to do better, that is not the case.
Some regions have more hospitalizations than they ever saw in March or April.
The two hospitals in Lafayette each have more patients than they saw during the previous surge.
Good News: Patients they are seeing are in the hospital are younger and the illness is not quite as acute. Stays are not quite as long, and a smaller percentage of these patents are in the ICU or on ventilators.
Access to Remdesivir is been reduced, no one is out, but with the current caseload, they are concerned about not having adequate supplies.
Hospital capacity is not strictly related to COVID-19. Just because we are in a pandemic does not mean fewer people are going to have strokes, motor vehicle accidents, etc.
The biggest concerns center around staffing and keeping testing supplies and treatments in stock.
Staffing issues are exacerbated by pronounced community spread, causing more staff members to call out because they are positive.
We are seeing a slight change in COVID-19 hospitalized patient demographics as they skew a little more white and male than the previous cases, and as previously mentioned, the average age is down.
Patients are more white, male, and young than before.
Appears now, at least anecdotally, that the hospitalized patients reflect our state demographics as a whole.
FOLLOW MITIGATION MEASURES.
We simply have to wear a mask when we are outside of our homes and interacting with people who are closer than 6 ft.
Everything we are learning from in this country, and around the world, indicate that mask usage is incredibly important to cut down the rate of infections.
Dept. of Health is sharing an additional breakdown of race by parish to be published weekly.
41% of cases are from Black Residents and 29% from White Residents.
The "Great Doctor" Billioux - LDH continues to try to publish more and more data weekly. They have added more information such as the percent of positive cases by regions and hospitalization breakdown by region to the Dashboard. - The difference between this rise in cases and what we saw earlier on is that we have significantly more data which allows us to communicate to you a lot more early warning signs. - We haven't yet seen real big rises in ventilator usage like our neighbors in Texas, but if these curves continue we will probably see these numbers go up. - More individual information was added this week regarding race data. * Louisiana was one of the first states to provide race data for people dying by COVID-19. - LDH now feels comfortable putting out race data by cases. * There is still 19% of cases that they do not have race data. Whether it is from lack of information taken when someone is tested or inability to get information from contact tracing. - Still see there is a disproportionate number of African Americans who are contracting COVID-19 when compared to their white counterparts. * This is also true for our Latin-X communities. - The disparity is starting to narrow, at least for deaths. - It is important that we know where COVID-19 is and how to protect ourselves. - At the regional level, we can see other races beyond the Black and White races available for parish data. - Where is COVID Spreading?
Outbreak Setting
Number of Outbreaks
Cases
% of Cases
Food Processing
11
423
30%
Bar
36
393
27%
Industrial Setting
16
117
8%
College/University
3
84
6%
Restaurant
16
68
5%
Construction Site
3
48
3%
Casino
4
38
3%
Social Event - Private
3
38
3%
Office Space
8
36
3%
Wedding
7
31
2%
Gym/Fitness Setting
3
26
2%
Ship/Boat
1
25
2%
Other Worksite
8
24
2%
Social Event - Public
1
24
2%
Child Daycare
7
17
1%
Religious Services/Event
2
17
1%
Recreation
2
10
1%
Retail Setting
3
8
1%
Camp
1
5
0%
Grand Total
135
1,432
100%
This is the information we are able to get through contact tracing or reports. This represents a significant underestimation of these different settings in the overall cases. Many people are unable to call specifically where they may have been able to pick up the virus, or if they were in a particular bar.
If you go to any setting, whether it is on this list or not, and you do not feel comfortable because people are not following safety standards leave, walk out, protect yourself, and protect your family because that is what is most important. This will allow us to keep as many sectors of the economy open.
These new parts of the Dashboard will be updated every Wednesday.
Questions by Dr. Billioux
Explain the 14-day quarantine... Gov referenced the need to quarantine for 14 days. As we do contact tracing and tell them they may have been exposed, we know that some people's initial urge is to go out get tested. More often than not its been several days since your exposure, so testing is reasonable. If you know you have been exposed today it is not advisable to get a test today. Regardless of being tested, 5 days after exposure and it is negative, you can still turn positive on day 13 or 14. Quarantining is for 14 days regardless of your test result. If you ae been exposed you need to do whatever you can to isolate yourself from other members of your household and certainly do not go out. Why we are seeing cases in college universities when they are currently closed? So there is a couple of data points that we have around that. One is that for the last week or so more than 1/3 have been from 18-29 certainly 29 or less. So that is the same population we would see around college campuses. The other point that I may is that even though the universities may not be open hey still remain centers of our community were people of this age group reside. A university draws a large group from that age range so it is not surprising to see an increase in those locations. Note it is 3 we have identified out of 84 cases. We are trying to engage college students to make sure our message is clear to inform them on the best ways to keep themself safe. Even though are seeing very few people are needing hospitalization and even fewer are dying but if you increase the number of people who are exposed in this age group the number of people who will be hospitalized or who die will also increase. We now have 25,000 active cases statewide, even if these individuals are in a low-risk group for bad outcomes for COVID, but anywhere anyone else goes there is a higher chance of being exposed to COVID-19 whether they are going to bar or a gym the likelihood of catching the virus is higher. Cannot hear question - will update later We definitely see most cases coming from population centers but from the beginning, we have seen cases coming from rural settings. If you look at the map every parish has cases, as we increase testing in smaller parishes we see increases in cases. Some of our smaller parishes rank highest in the amount of COVID cases and deaths in the nation. It is a problem that is truly statewide. This is not a New Orleans or EBR problem, we have COVID cases rises spreading everywhere across the state in the way we did not in March. Are you tracking cases in prisons and correctional facilities? Why isn't this reported on the Dashboard. We track cases wherever they come from. We want to know if they are from individuals that are residing in the setting or staff that work in a setting. We recently partnered with the CDC to do more comprehensive testing in a prison int he North, we work with the DEpt. of Corrections with their testing procedures, same on the parish level to help them support their testing. Individuals' locations are not identified to the public unless they are posing a risk to the public. If we take an example of the bars in Baton Rouge and were not able to identify everyone who had been there we did make a public statement. It is not mandated by the Federal government to be reported like nursing homes are. How can we make restaurants safer We always look at how we can make any setting safer. Recently we are looking at how we can increase enforcement. Having people in these settings to makes sure staff and patrons are doing what they can reduce their risk in these settings. Bars produce a particular risk. You may be leaning in closer to yell over sounds or if you are slowly drinking a drink you are not taking a mask on and off. We are visiting those sites. How many new citations or violations have been given from the LDH Data is not available. Normally we give a warning and then a follow-up visitation and if that is not corrected by the followup visit a citation is not ordered. Are you planning to break up COVID-location exposure by regions No. Anyone one of these settings you should assume it is going on in your neighborhood. What is more important is to make a self-assessment when you enter a setting if it is safe for you to be there or not. Gov. John Bel Edwards
As you can see with the known outbreaks the majority are associated with bars.
Food processing settings dominate those numbers but those individuals work and often times live in close proximity with one another as well.
No matter how you slice and dice the numbers, COVID-19 is probably more present in Louisiana today than it has ever been
Need the people to step up, pay attention, and do their part.
One number that was not previously highlighted, is the amount of per capita cases in the country. We were as high as number 2. AS things got better we were number 10 in per capita cases. *Today we are #5 in country for highest amount of cases per capita
More known COVID-19 in Louisiana today than we have had at any point up to now.
Another number that Gov. Edwards forgot to give is we are in the 8th day and we have reported 137,000+ tests already. The monthly goal set forth by the White House Coronavirus Taskforce is 200,000 tests per month. WE are working hard to know what is going on in Louisiana and get in front of it.
Everyone in Louisiana you have a role to play. Let's take care of one another by wearing a mask. When you wear a mask you are not protecting yourself so much as you protecting others from you, and when they wear a mask they are showing the same courtesy you are.
Wear your mask anytime you re outside of your home, interacting with people who are not part of your household. Stay 6 feet away. Stay home when you re sick. Wash hands with soap and water frequently.
The next press conference will be next week, with no set date or time yet.
Question by Gov Edwards
Earlier you compared us to Texas. Texas is limited crowd size, cracking down on restrictions, and adding a statewide mask mandate. Are you considering limiting crowd sizes, adding restrictions, or instituting a mask mandate?*
We discuss everything I am not currently contemplating a statewide mandate. We are not up to 4 local mandates, Orleans, Jefferson, East Baton Rouge, and Shreveport (he misses Kenner), these are the largest populations of the state.
We want to be fully consistent with the White House Coronavirus Taskforce guidance which recommends that mask mandates be declared by local governments.
Whether we have a mandate or not, we cannot be clearer in the messaging we have been stating for months. **If you are interested in having more customers in stores and in restaurants, then you want mask usage because it decreases the number of cases. Anything that reduces the case count and flattens the curve is ultimately going to be very very helpful. The single most important thing people can do is wear a mask. Gathering sizes are being looked at, in regards to venue capacity right now we may be more liberal with that than Federal guidance we are getting.
Other states are considering closing bars and indoor dining. Seeing the surge in cases have you reconsidered the current restrictions on restaurants and bars? I will tell you that we are getting the guidance directly from the cOronavirus task force as well we have done over 3,100 site visits over the last 10 days or so. Primarily working through the Free Marshall Office we are trying to gain more compliance with existing restrictions and are having success in almost every case. We will be starting our followup visits and if there are repeat violations actions will be taken there. In regards to 50% occupancy for on-premises dining, we are on par with what Texas is doing now. Our decision not to go into Phase 3 was the right decision. I can only imagine what the case would be if we removed to Phase 3. We are paying attention to all of these things and maybe making some adjustments to the restrictions. Currently, we remain focused on getting compliance with existing restrictions. If this proves to be insufficient to get our numbers under control we whatever is necessary to not put a strain on our hospitals. We are not there today but we are on-trend to get there. President Trump says he wants all students returning to school for in person instruction, do you have guidance on what you would like to see with schools reopening? First of all, I would hope aspirationally we want to see our schools open 5 days a week for in-person instruction, but at the same time, we have to balance the interest of preserving the health of students, staff, and faculty. We need to look at what situation is at any given time of the situation, particularly in advance of when that school year will commence. You will see school districts implementing even more measures to protect students, staff, and faculty. Under no circumstance do we anticipate a return to pre-COVID normal. Even if we have in-person instruction on campus it will not look like how it was prior to COVID. Not like to see school assemblies, students eating in lunch, students will not be coming into contact with people who are not their immediate cohorts. It is important to get students back onto campus not just for education but for nutrition, social well being, mental health services, and we have to remember that teachers and school counselors are mandatory reporters when they suspect a child has been subject to abuse or neglect. For all these reasons we ant them back on our campuses but we ate to do it safely. Only recently the CDC related a plethora of guidance. K-12 leaders are pouring over that now to make sure it is incorporated into our plans of reopening. Impossible to know on July 8th what it will look like or whether it will even be possible to open schools a month from now. Question about fall sports and Senators Fields request that K-12 sports be cancelled for the Fall It is a little too early to say on July 8th what this will look like. I appreciate the concerns of Senator Fields, that decision may be a prudent decision but we are not at the time where that decision needs to be made. WE need to know al little more and get a little deeper into the calendar before the decision is made. Question about how Gov. Edwards feels about then comparison of wearing a mask to the holocaust It is utter nonsense and sad. My best advice to anyone who wants to talk about any person or situation today and compare it back to the nazis or the holocaust is not appropriate. Certainly not in this circumstance where mask-wearing is recommended across the world now, including by our own Federal Govern and White House to wear masks to stop a disease that is highly contagious and highly lethal. It just misses the boat on all fronts to compare that to something related to the holocaust. cannot hear question Dr. Birx called me last week they were looking at certain hot posts across the country where you had increases in cases and positivity that were very pronounced. They wanted to assist going into those areas with additional testing, with the hopes of identifying more people with the coronavirus, put them into quarantine, and cool off these hot spots. In EBR we may be seeing this because of the younger demographic, we are a college town, we do not know why we are seeing it but we appreciate the help and hope to get the 5,000 additional tests today between now and July 18th. This is the only federally sponsored testing taking place in Louisiana presently. If you have questions about this testing or how to take advantage of it call 2-1-1 doineedtogetacovid19test.com to pre-register. [location of testing sites]
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