3-17-20
Gov. John Bel Edwards says a third person has died in Louisiana because of the coronavirus. Edwards said Monday the latest victim was an 84-year-old man in New Orleans. The governor also is ordering bars, gyms and movie theaters to close and limiting restaurants to delivery and take-out. The new constraints last until April 13. Casinos also will have to shutter, and public gatherings of 50 people or more will be banned. State legislators are suspending their lawmaking session until March 31. Louisiana has more than 130 positive tests for the coronavirus. For most people, coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. It can be more serious, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.
DRIVE THRU SCREENING FOR THE CORONAVIRUS WILL BEGIN TOMORROW IN LAFAYETTE. MAYOR PRESIDENT JOSH GUILLORY ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT THE DRIVE THROUGH SCREENING WILL BE CONDUCTED BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AT THE CAJUNDOME. HE SAYS THEY MAY SET UP AN ADDITIONAL SITE IN THE BROUSSARD AREA. DR. TINA STEFANSKI WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SAID THAT SHE EXPECTS THE FIRST CASE OF THE CORONAVIRUS IN ACADIANA THIS WEEK. JAMIE ANGELLE, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT, SAYS ABOUT ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE IN ACADIANA HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE VIRUS AND THE RESULTS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. GUILLORY ALSO ANNOUNCED A CURFEW FOR THOSE AGED SEVENTEEN AND YOUNGER. IT WILL BEGIN AT EIGHT IN THE EVENINGS AND LAST UNTIL SIX IN THE MORNING. INTERIM POLICE CHIEF SCOTT MORGAN SAYS PARENTS OF MINORS WHO VIOLATE THE CURFEW MUST APPEAR WITH THEIR CHILD IN COURT.
THE VERMILLION PARISH OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SAYS, AS OF MONDAY, ALL PUBLIC OFFICES IN THE PARISH ARE STILL OPEN. GERALD GRUENIG SAYS THERE IS AN EXCEPTION.
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THE DIOCESE OF LAFAYETTE HAS CANCELED ALL SCHEDULED MASSES THROUGH APRIL THIRTEENTH. THEY ARE ALSO HAVING GRAVESSIDE SERVICES ONLY FOR FUNERALS, AND WEDDINGS WILL BE CELEBRATED WITH IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS ONLY. THE DIOCESE OF LAKE CHARLES HAS ALSO SUSPENDED MASSES. CHURCHES WILL BE OPEN FOR INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS AND VISITS. FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS. THE DECISION WAS MADE AFTER THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION RECOMMENDED THE CANCELLATION OR POSTPONEMENT OF ANY GATHERING OF FIFTY OR MORE PEOPLE FOR THE NEXT EIGHT WEEKS.
WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS, ALL LAKE CHARLES CITY SERVICES WILL REMAIN IN OPERATION AS USUAL AND CITY HALL WILL REMAIN OPEN. HOWEVER, THE CALCASIEU PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL CLOSE TODAY AT SIX AND REMAINED CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. CRIMINAL JURY TRIALS IN CALCASIEU PARISH ARE POSTPONED THROUGH MARCH 27TH.
THE CITY OF JENNINGS IS LIMITING ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT FACILITIES. CITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND THE WATER DEPARTMENT WILL BE CLOSED FOR WALK-IN SERVICE. HOWEVER THE PUBLIC CAN USE THE DRIVE THRU AS WELL AS MOBILE PAY AND PAY-BY-PHONE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR WATER BILL.
THE DOLLAR GENERAL STORES IS DEDICATING ITS FIRST HOUR OF OPERATION TO SENIOR CITIZENS. THEY ARE ASKING THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PLAN THEIR SHOPPING TRIPS AROUND THAT HOUR SO THOSE MOST VULNERABLE TO THE DISEASE CAN AVOID CROWDED SHOPPING TIMES.
