The coronavirus is making itself known in Acadiana as parishes are experiencing spikes in cases.
The seven-parish Acadiana region recently had a 25% increase in cases to a seven-day total of 1,591 and a seven-day positive test rate of 10%.
There was no count, but a long line of vehicles waited for virus tests at Eunice High School on Thursday morning.
Acadian Medical Center on Thursday announced a return to visitor restrictions due to the coronavirus. Visitors will be screened and requested to wear a mask if allowed to enter to the hospital.
The Eunice Recreation Department announced play is being suspended until July 13 because of a positive COVID-19 test.
The city of Eunice was planning to reopen its library on Monday with restrictions, but confirmation of the opening could not be obtained from Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot on Friday.
Hospitalizations in the surrounding region continue to soar, with a 150% increase in the last two weeks — from 54 on June 18 to 136 on Thursday. Hospitalizations in the seven-parish Region 4 hit a new peak the day before, and they show no sign of slowing with 10 added Thursday.
Statewide, the health department reported 1,383 more coronavirus cases, 17 more deaths and 41 more hospitalizations in its daily noon update Thursday.
There were 15,286 more tests reported to Louisiana on Thursday. Out of those tests, 9.05% were positive for coronavirus. The percent positive rate over the last seven days was 7.63%. During Phase 1, there was an average of a 4.78% percent positive rate.
Positive test rates by parish include: Acadia,, 9.8%; Evangeline, 7.7%; Iberia, 14.1%; Lafayette, 12.4%; St. Landry, 6%; St. Martin, 6.5%; and Vermilion, 7.5%.
On Thursday, the state Department of Health reported 61,561 cumulative cases, 3,147 deaths, 840 people in hospitals with COVID-19 and 91 of those hospitalized were on ventilators.
In St. Landry Parish, there have been 57 deaths from COVID-19 and 672 cases to date.
Other parish cumulative case count and deaths are:
Acadia, 945 cases, 37 deaths;
Evangeline, 202 cases, one death;
Iberia, 792 cases, 44 deaths;
Lafayette, 2,472 cases, 46 deaths;
St. Martin, 750 cases, 26 deaths; and
Vermilion, 273 cases, six deaths.
COVID-19 cases by Census tract in the Eunice area total 48 as June 29. The northern Acadia Parish Census tract has 46 cases and the rural area outside of Eunice to west of Lawtell has dad 23 cases.