St. Landry Parish’s COVID-19 positivity rate dropped to 10.9% in the week ending Nov. 25, which was down from 11.9% for the week ending Nov. 18 and 11.1% for the week ending Nov. 11.
The state Department of Health’s coronavirus noon Wednesday report stated there were 3,604 new cases and 46 new deaths. But the case count included 1,551 backlogged cases going back to April.
In Louisiana as of Wednesday, there were 241,335 cases, 6,501 deaths, 1,288 in hospitals and 134 on ventilators.
COVID-19 cases in the census tracts that include Eunice totaled 468 as of noon Wednesday.
St. Landry Parish, as of Wednesday, had a total of 165 deaths with eight of those listed as probable. The parish has had 5,215 cases with 4,994 confirmed.
St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard said on Tuesday he was waiting for Wednesday’s numbers, “but there is nobody calling and telling me it is looking better. That I can promise you.”
The Parish Council, citing virus concerns, announced its Wednesday meeting would be held virtually.
In the health department’s Region 4, which includes St. Landry, Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin and Vermilion parishes, there were 145 ICU beds in use and 12 available. Region 4 had 1,282 hospital beds in use and 284 beds available. There 57 patients on ventilators with 146 ventilators still available.
According to The Advocate, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy said Tuesday that COVID-19 vaccines are headed to Louisiana and elsewhere.
“Pfizer already is shipping vaccine out. it’s on jets flying to locations to begin to be administered,” the Baton Rouge Republican told reporters during a press conference about another bipartisan effort to pass emergency aid for people, businesses and governments suffering economically because of shutdowns and limitations aimed at mitigating the highly infectious and often deadly coronavirus mutation.
On Nov. 25, Gov. John Bel Edwards imposed tighter restrictions as the state experienced a third surge of the coronavirus.
Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate, which has been in place since mid-July, will continue. In addition, Edwards encourages any business that can allow its employees to work remotely to do so. He has directed all state agencies to do the same.
The governor’s order will be in place for four weeks, however, in a news release, it states he intends to keep these restrictions in place at least through the end of the year.
Major changes to Louisiana’s COVID-19 restrictions include the below:
All Louisianans are encouraged to avoid gatherings of individuals not part of their households.
All businesses, private and public sectors, are encouraged to use remote work where they can.
All restaurants are limited to 50% of their indoor capacity. Restaurants should move as much dining outdoors as they can. Social distancing is required.
For bars in parishes above 5% positivity, bars are closed to indoor sales and consumption but open for outdoor consumption at tables only and at 25% capacity, with a maximum of 50 people. Social distancing is required. Take-out and delivery will still be available.
Retail businesses at 50% capacity, except for essential businesses, as defined by federal guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Gyms may be open at 50% of their capacity.
Places of worship will remain at a maximum of 75% of their capacity or the number of people who can physically distance with at least six feet between each immediate household. The State Fire Marshal will put out additional COVID mitigation measures to make services safer.
Barber and beauty shops, and nail salons may open at 50% of their capacity.
Movie theaters may open at 50% of their capacity.
Indoor gatherings at event/receptions centers are limited to 25% capacity or up to 75 individuals.
Outdoor gatherings at event/reception centers are limited to 25% capacity or up to 150 individuals when strict physical distancing is not possible.
All sporting events will be capped at 25% capacity.
For complete guidance on the new Phase 2, visit the Open Safely portal at opensafely.la.gov.