Coronavirus updates in Louisiana: COVID-19 cases now at 38,802; 2,635 deaths reported

Here’s a look at some of the latest information and headlines on coronavirus in Louisiana.38,802 cases across the state2,635 deaths reportedMore than 28,700 recoveredPhase 1 now in effectAccording to the Louisiana Department of Health, 38,802 coronavirus cases have been reported in the state. There have also been 2,635 COVID-19 deaths recorded.The latest numbers were released Thursday by the health department. More than 14,400 of the state’s coronavirus cases have been reported in the New Orleans metro. Of the state’s COVID-19 deaths, more than 940 have been confirmed in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish.According to Thursday’s update, New Orleans now has 7,067 coronavirus cases while Jefferson Parish is reporting 7,424 cases.Click here to view more information on cases parish-by-parish.In Louisiana, there are now 761 patients receiving treatment for COVID-19. Of that number, the health department said 100 patients are on ventilators. More than 28,000 Louisianians have recovered from COVID-19, officials said.When it comes to testing in the state, more than 355,000 coronavirus tests have been completed and performed, according to Thursday’s update.Click here for more information on testing in the state.Stay-at-home order in Louisiana:Gov. John Bel Edwards said he’s still cautiously optimistic about moving Louisiana into phase two of its reopening efforts.Phase one has been in effect for a couple weeks now, allowing restaurants to seat customers indoors and for gyms and hair salons to welcome back their clients.Edwards said downward trends in hospitalizations and new cases allowed the state to loosen restrictions on some businesses. He has stressed that any spikes in the coronavirus outbreak in the state could lead to reversals in Louisiana’s progress.During a news conference Wednesday, Edward said he will make an announcement next week about phase two. While there have been no spikes in cases yet, state health officials will watch what data comes in after the Memorial Day holiday.Edwards is stressing the importance of continued social distancing and wearing masks.Coronavirus in New Orleans:Phase 1 measures are fully underway in New Orleans. Most of the measures mirror those taking place across Louisiana.All-in-all, city leaders are encouraging residents to remain at home as much as possible and limit interactions to small gatherings.(Click here to read more about the phase 1 measure)But for those at lower risk of complications from COVID-19, restaurants in the popular food city are back open and some bars with food permits can return to normal with limits on the number of people allowed inside.There has been no mention of when New Orleans could move into phase two of reopening. The city only cautiously moved into phase one after reviewing data and downward trends.Mayor LaToya Cantrell has stressed that the data will drive her decision on when to reopen more of the city’s businesses. Phase two would allow medium-risk businesses to open their doors or continue operations after weeks of closures.Across the country:In less than four months, coronavirus has killed more than 100,000 people in the United States. That’s as many people as died in the flu pandemic nationwide in 1968, and getting closer to the number of deaths in yet another flu outbreak a decade prior.Health officials have struggled to make sense of the highly contagious and poorly understood disease even as coronavirus circulates in the United States, where nearly 1.7 million have tested positive. And experts are still learning new things.For months, public health officials have urged people to stay six feet apart to slow its spread through respiratory droplets. But three experts are warning that six feet may not be enough — and are asking the world to take airborne transmission of the virus seriously.While the nation tries to keep infection rates down, some states are doing better than others. Other regions have not fared as well. As of Wednesday, there were 14 states in which the number of cases was still trending upward.There have been more than 1.7 million coronavirus cases in the United States, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. The U.S. death toll has surpassed 100,000 people, according to Hopkins.Click here for the latest local and national coronavirus updates. News you can use:In need of hand sanitizer? Here’s how to make your ownIs it allergies, the flu or the coronavirus? How to tell the differenceHere’s how to safely exercise outside during the coronavirus outbreakProductive and entertaining activities you can do from inside your homeA guide to keeping your child safe and reassured as coronavirus spreadsHow to manage OCD and anxiety amid the coronavirusHow to clean your car for coronavirusCoronavirus: 4 ways to care for dry hands during regular washingHow to work from home without losing your sanityHow to stop touching your face all the time, according to expertsHow to properly clean your keyboard, which is one of the germiest places you touch dailyPGlmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vZDJjbXZicTdzeHgzM2ouY2xvdWRmcm9udC5uZXQvZW1haWwvcHJvZF9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1c19pZnJhbWVfYXJ0aWNsZS5odG1sIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjQxNCIgc3R5bGU9IndpZHRoOjEwMCU7Ym9yZGVyOm5vbmU7b3ZlcmZsb3c6aGlkZGVuIiBzY3JvbGxpbmc9Im5vIiBmcmFtZWJvcmRlcj0iMCIgYWxsb3dUcmFuc3BhcmVuY3k9InRydWUiPjwvaWZyYW1lPg==

Read More