coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Gov. Edwards to extend stay at home order until May 15

Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced he will extend Louisiana’s Stay at Home order until May 15 to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19. Louisiana does not currently meet the White House criteria for entering Phase One of reopening.

‘Gray area’ businesses may reopen under St. Landry Parish executive order

An executive order signed Monday by St. Landry Parish Government enacted a “Safe Shop” policy for “gray area” businesses in the parish to go into effect Tuesday. The order allows businesses that are not deemed essential or prohibited under the Gov. John Bel Edwards’ existing orders to reopen.

Cleco encourages eligible customers to apply for energy assistance funds

Cleco is encouraging eligible customers who need help paying their electric utility bills to apply for supplemental funds added to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Blood drive at the VFW Post

The VFW Post 8971 and the Acadia Parish Fire District 4 joined up for a blood drive on April 18. The goal for the drive was 20 donations. The final was 31 donations.

City’s walking park, lake, golf course reopened

The city’s walking park, golf course and lake reopened to the public on Friday. Robert Johnson, recreation director, announced the reopening. “At this time, gatherings of people will be restricted and areas of the facilities maybe designated as off limits.

LSUE to receive $2M from CARES

LSUE will receive $2 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Chancellor Nancee Sorenson announced the funding at a meeting called by state Rep. Phillip DeVillier at LSUE on Wednesday.

St. Landry Parish COVID-19 death toll rises to 34

The death toll in St. Landry Parish from COVID-19 rose to 34 in Friday’s update from the Louisiana Department of Health. The parish has had 157 confirmed cases. There have been 1,601 deaths reported from the virus. The Department has added another reporting statistic and is 59 probable deaths.

New study: Virus testing needs to ramp up

Harvard University researchers and epidemiologists are at it again, warning this time that America is nowhere close to having a true picture of the Coronavirus outbreak. Other research and civic groups are beginning to agree. At the present, 150,000 tests are given each day in the United States.

LSU team studying effects of coronavirus on travel patterns

A number of metrics are being examined by experts to determine how successful, or unsuccessful, the nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has been thus far. For LSU Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Brian Wolshon, that metric is traffic.

Home care learning support expanded for young children

The Louisiana Department of Education today announced it has expanded its at-home care and learning supports for families who are home with young children as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.