7-22-20
Gov. John Bel Edwards is keeping Louisiana’s mask mandate and business restrictions in place for at least two more weeks as the number of coronavirus patients at hospitals is surging in all regions of the state. The Democratic governor’s current regulations were set to expire Friday but instead will extend until at least Aug. 7. The rules limit restaurants to 50% capacity for in-person dining, restrict bars to takeout and delivery only and place occupancy limits on gyms, salons and other businesses deemed nonessential. Face coverings are required for anyone ages 8 and older, with medical exceptions. Indoor gatherings above 50 people are banned.
WITH AN ADDITIONAL THIRTY-SIX DEATHS IN YESTERDAY’S REPORT FROM THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE STATE NOW HAS A TOTAL COVID-NINETEEN DEATH COUNT OF NEARLY THIRTY-FIVE HUNDRED. THERE ARE NINETEEN MORE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED FROM COVID-NINETEEN BUT SIX FEWER PATIENTS ON VENTILATORS. THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES IS ONE THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED NINETY-ONE, MOVING THE OVERALL TOTAL PAST NINETY-SIX THOUSAND.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES IN ACADIANA HAS SURPASSED FOURTEEN THOUSAND, BUT, OVER THE LAST SEVEN DAYS HAVE DECREASED BY ELEVEN-POINT-FIVE PERCENT COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS SEVEN DAY PERIOD. THE DECLINES WERE EVEN MORE NOTICEABLE IN LAFAYETTE AND IBERIA PARISHES, WITH TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT DECREASES. THE WEEKLY COUNT DID INCREASE IN FOUR ACADIANA PARISHES. THERE ARE THREE MORE DEATHS IN ACADIANA, INCLUDING TWO IN LAFAYETTE PARISH AND ONE EACH IN ST. LANDRY AND ST. MARTIN PARISHES. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ADJUSTED THE TOTAL DEATH COUNT IN IBERIA PARISH DOWN ONE. THE TOTAL FOR THE AREA IS THREE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN.
THERE ARE SEVEN MORE DEATHS IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA, ALL IN CALCASIEU PARISH. THE TOTAL FOR THE REGION IS ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE. THERE ARE ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-ONE MORE CASES. THAT MOVES THE TOTAL TO SIX THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-EIGHT.
THE TWENTY-SIXTH ROBERTS COVE GERMANFEST HAS BEEN CANCELLED. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED THE DECISION IN A NEWS RELEASE, SAYING THAT THE CANCELLATION OF THE FESTIVAL, SCHEDULED FOR EARLY OCTOBER, IS DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC. THEY SAID, EVEN IF THEY FOLLOWED THE GUIDELINES IN ORDER TO HOLD THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE. THE COMMITTEE SAID “IT IS BETTER TO POSTPONE IT UNTIL NEXT YEAR AND ALLOW US TO MAKE IT THE FESTIVAL THAT YOU DESERVE.”
PROTESTERS WERE ON THE GROUNDS OF THE L-C-G BUILDING YESTERDAY OPPOSING THE CLOSURES OF FOUR REC CENTERS. CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.
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SOWELA YESTERDAY ANNOUNCED THE HIRING OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S FIRST EVER FEMALE FORESTRY TECHNOLOGY PROFESSOR. DOCTOR EMMA THOMAS WILL JOIN THE FORESTRY PROGRAM AT SOWELA’S INSTRUCTIONAL SITE IN OAKDALE. CHANCELLOR DOCTOR NEIL ASPENWALL SAYS DOCTOR THOMAS IS A VERY QUALIFIED AND DEDICATED INDIVIDUALWHO WILL PROVIDE THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE FOR STUDENTS LOOKING FOR JOBS IN THE FORESTRY FIELD. SOWELA’S SPECIALIZED PROGRAM PREPARES STUDENTS TO FILL JOBS THAT WILL HELP PRODUCE, PROTECT AND MANAGE WOODLAND RESOURCES.
The Army Corps of Engineers says it’s adding a month to the crawfish season in 28,500 acres in Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin. The floodway system’s park manager says a slow drop in the Atchafalaya River is making for great crawfishing in the Indian Bayou area. Steve Stone says about 140 people have the special use permits needed for crawfishing there and permits are still available at the Corps’ Port Barre office. A notice sent Tuesday said the Indian Bayou crawfish season will now end Aug. 31.
