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Louisiana confirms Omicron variant of virus found in state
- Thread starter Pathfinder
- Start date
Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Omicron cases continue to dominate spread in Louisiana
Proportion of Omicron in Louisiana increases to 90.2% of all COVID-19 cases
January 05, 2022
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) estimates the proportion of Omicron cases in our state has increased from 88.5% to 90.2% for the week ending January 1.*
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the proportion of Omicron in HHS Region 6 (which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) is 98.2%. Furthermore, 63 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes (98.4%) are at the 2 highest levels of community transmission; one remains unclassified due to low test volume. This is an increase from last week's 95%.
*NOTE: LDH’s estimate for the Omicron proportion is preliminary and subject to change as more sequencing data are reported.
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https://ldh.la.gov/news/6479
Proportion of Omicron in Louisiana increases to 90.2% of all COVID-19 cases
January 05, 2022
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) estimates the proportion of Omicron cases in our state has increased from 88.5% to 90.2% for the week ending January 1.*
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the proportion of Omicron in HHS Region 6 (which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) is 98.2%. Furthermore, 63 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes (98.4%) are at the 2 highest levels of community transmission; one remains unclassified due to low test volume. This is an increase from last week's 95%.
*NOTE: LDH’s estimate for the Omicron proportion is preliminary and subject to change as more sequencing data are reported.
...
https://ldh.la.gov/news/6479
sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
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Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
COVID percent positivity rate highest since March 2020
"Some compare it to the measles and chicken pox in terms of its contagiousness."
Author: Erika Ferrando (WWL)
Published: 6:10 PM CST January 6, 2022
Updated: 6:39 PM CST January 6, 2022
NEW ORLEANS — On Wednesday, the first day of the mass testing site at the Shrine on Airline, 1,503 people were tested and 31.47% were positive. That's nearly every one out of three people testing positive.
"All of this is a reflection of a very, very contagious variant," said Dr. Fred Lopez, Infectious Disease Expert with LSU Health.
Statewide, the percent positivity rate for the week of Dec. 23 - 29 was 27.1%. That's the highest since March 2020 when the rate was 32% at its peak.
"Ideally, we'd like it to be less than 3%," Dr. Lopez said.
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The Louisiana Department of Health reported 14,077 new cases of COVID Thursday, breaking another single-day record for new cases since the start of the pandemic. These numbers do not include at-home COVID tests.
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https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/...2020/289-013d28da-b333-4709-afce-7f5f2daae7cc
"Some compare it to the measles and chicken pox in terms of its contagiousness."
Author: Erika Ferrando (WWL)
Published: 6:10 PM CST January 6, 2022
Updated: 6:39 PM CST January 6, 2022
NEW ORLEANS — On Wednesday, the first day of the mass testing site at the Shrine on Airline, 1,503 people were tested and 31.47% were positive. That's nearly every one out of three people testing positive.
"All of this is a reflection of a very, very contagious variant," said Dr. Fred Lopez, Infectious Disease Expert with LSU Health.
Statewide, the percent positivity rate for the week of Dec. 23 - 29 was 27.1%. That's the highest since March 2020 when the rate was 32% at its peak.
"Ideally, we'd like it to be less than 3%," Dr. Lopez said.
...
The Louisiana Department of Health reported 14,077 new cases of COVID Thursday, breaking another single-day record for new cases since the start of the pandemic. These numbers do not include at-home COVID tests.
...
https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/...2020/289-013d28da-b333-4709-afce-7f5f2daae7cc
sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
bump this
Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
New Orleans reinstating indoor mask mandate starting Wednesday
WDSU Updated: 7:42 AM CST Jan 12, 2022
NEW ORLEANS —
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New Orleans Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno announced the decision Tuesday during an update on the city's response to COVID-19.
The decision comes as the city's positivity rate nears 32%, and hospitalizations are strained.
According to Avegno, hospital emergency rooms have wait times of up to 10 hours and are also suffering from staff shortages.
"I don’t think people realize what hospitals look like right now is dramatically different from a mild inconvenience," Avegno said. "There are no beds ... we are having staff outages in the triple digits. That's common at some of our larger facilities."
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Avegno suggests residents should wear a KN95, N95 or surgical mask for the best protection.
This comes as New Orleans prepares for an influx of visitors during Carnival Season, something Mayor LaToya Cantrell has promised will happen this year.
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https://www.wdsu.com/article/new-orleans-reinstating-indoor-mask-mandate-covid/38737313#
WDSU Updated: 7:42 AM CST Jan 12, 2022
NEW ORLEANS —
...
New Orleans Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno announced the decision Tuesday during an update on the city's response to COVID-19.
The decision comes as the city's positivity rate nears 32%, and hospitalizations are strained.
According to Avegno, hospital emergency rooms have wait times of up to 10 hours and are also suffering from staff shortages.
"I don’t think people realize what hospitals look like right now is dramatically different from a mild inconvenience," Avegno said. "There are no beds ... we are having staff outages in the triple digits. That's common at some of our larger facilities."
...
Avegno suggests residents should wear a KN95, N95 or surgical mask for the best protection.
This comes as New Orleans prepares for an influx of visitors during Carnival Season, something Mayor LaToya Cantrell has promised will happen this year.
...
https://www.wdsu.com/article/new-orleans-reinstating-indoor-mask-mandate-covid/38737313#
sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
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Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Tens of thousands reinfected by COVID-19 in Louisiana, new data shows
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Published: 2:35 PM CST January 12, 2022
Updated: 3:42 PM CST January 12, 2022
NEW ORLEANS —
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According to the Louisiana Department of Health, there have been at least 35,819 cases of reinfection in the state. Reinfection is defined as another positive test at least 90 days after a previous positive test.
The LDH said that the Omicron variant is behind the state’s latest surge of the virus - accounting for 97% of cases between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. The other 3% of cases is attributed to the Delta variant which peaked in Aug. 2021.
On Wednesday, the health department reported its highest single-day increase in new cases since the pandemic began: 17,592 new cases.
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https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/...iana/289-82023b74-1ac8-46a4-9836-3e59c54c2636
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Louisiana tops 2,000+ hospitalizations, and Omicron hasn't peaked yet
Author: WWL Staff
Published: 12:21 PM CST January 13, 2022
Updated: 12:21 PM CST January 13, 2022
BATON ROUGE, La. — The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Louisiana topped 2,000 patients on Wednesday, higher than the peak count during the surge in January 2021.
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In recent days. Louisiana has repeatedly broken new records for single-day increases in new cases. On Wednesday, Louisiana reported 17,592 new cases in a single day, followed by another 14,932 on Thursday. The state has set new records for single-day increases in cases four times since Dec. 30.
And experts like Dr. Joseph Kanter, Louisiana’s State Health Officer, say Omicron cases have not yet peaked in the state.
“Percent positivity, unfortunately, continues to rise. Last week it was 27.1%. It’s up to 28.6% right now,” Kanter said.
...
https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/...aked/289-3a6e963b-35d9-4a0f-a850-23d693812372
...
Published: 2:35 PM CST January 12, 2022
Updated: 3:42 PM CST January 12, 2022
NEW ORLEANS —
...
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, there have been at least 35,819 cases of reinfection in the state. Reinfection is defined as another positive test at least 90 days after a previous positive test.
The LDH said that the Omicron variant is behind the state’s latest surge of the virus - accounting for 97% of cases between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. The other 3% of cases is attributed to the Delta variant which peaked in Aug. 2021.
On Wednesday, the health department reported its highest single-day increase in new cases since the pandemic began: 17,592 new cases.
...
https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/...iana/289-82023b74-1ac8-46a4-9836-3e59c54c2636
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Louisiana tops 2,000+ hospitalizations, and Omicron hasn't peaked yet
Author: WWL Staff
Published: 12:21 PM CST January 13, 2022
Updated: 12:21 PM CST January 13, 2022
BATON ROUGE, La. — The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Louisiana topped 2,000 patients on Wednesday, higher than the peak count during the surge in January 2021.
...
In recent days. Louisiana has repeatedly broken new records for single-day increases in new cases. On Wednesday, Louisiana reported 17,592 new cases in a single day, followed by another 14,932 on Thursday. The state has set new records for single-day increases in cases four times since Dec. 30.
And experts like Dr. Joseph Kanter, Louisiana’s State Health Officer, say Omicron cases have not yet peaked in the state.
“Percent positivity, unfortunately, continues to rise. Last week it was 27.1%. It’s up to 28.6% right now,” Kanter said.
...
https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/...aked/289-3a6e963b-35d9-4a0f-a850-23d693812372
sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
bump this
Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Gov. Edwards, Dr. Kanter Release Statements on Louisiana Surpassing 1 Million COVID Infections
January 18, 2022
Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter released statements on Louisiana surpassing 1 million reported COVID infections. The Louisiana Department of Health reported 29,125 new cases Tuesday since January 14, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,025,748.
“Today, Louisiana reaches another sobering milestone, with our state officially reporting more than one million cases of COVID since the start of the pandemic in 2020. And, we know that because cases are underreported, in reality many more people in Louisiana have had COVID at some point in the past 22 months. And, while we are looking for early signs that this current Omicron surge is letting up, we still have far too many sick people in our state and far too many people in our hospitals with COVID. Most tragically, 15,195 Louisianans have died of this illness, which we know is now largely preventable,” Gov. Edwards said. “We have many shining lights in the darkness of this pandemic – our health care heroes who fight on the front lines each day to save lives, our teachers who are working to help our children learn under difficult circumstances, our essential workers who are keeping our economy going. But the brightest light we have are the safe and effective COVID vaccines, which are free and widely available across Louisiana to everyone five years of age and older. We know that these vaccines prevent most severe illness, hospitalization and death. It is my fervent hope and prayer each day that more Louisianans will take their vaccines and their COVID boosters and wear their masks while we are in this Omicron surge, so that we can put this pandemic in our rear view.”
"While thankfully Omicron is on average less likely to put you in the hospital than other variants, that is just an average," said Dr. Kanter. "It is still possible to get very sick from COVID-19 as the large number of people currently hospitalized in Louisiana show us. The best possible protection against being hospitalized and dying from COVID-19 is getting vaccinated and boosted as soon as you are eligible."
https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/3535
January 18, 2022
Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter released statements on Louisiana surpassing 1 million reported COVID infections. The Louisiana Department of Health reported 29,125 new cases Tuesday since January 14, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,025,748.
“Today, Louisiana reaches another sobering milestone, with our state officially reporting more than one million cases of COVID since the start of the pandemic in 2020. And, we know that because cases are underreported, in reality many more people in Louisiana have had COVID at some point in the past 22 months. And, while we are looking for early signs that this current Omicron surge is letting up, we still have far too many sick people in our state and far too many people in our hospitals with COVID. Most tragically, 15,195 Louisianans have died of this illness, which we know is now largely preventable,” Gov. Edwards said. “We have many shining lights in the darkness of this pandemic – our health care heroes who fight on the front lines each day to save lives, our teachers who are working to help our children learn under difficult circumstances, our essential workers who are keeping our economy going. But the brightest light we have are the safe and effective COVID vaccines, which are free and widely available across Louisiana to everyone five years of age and older. We know that these vaccines prevent most severe illness, hospitalization and death. It is my fervent hope and prayer each day that more Louisianans will take their vaccines and their COVID boosters and wear their masks while we are in this Omicron surge, so that we can put this pandemic in our rear view.”
"While thankfully Omicron is on average less likely to put you in the hospital than other variants, that is just an average," said Dr. Kanter. "It is still possible to get very sick from COVID-19 as the large number of people currently hospitalized in Louisiana show us. The best possible protection against being hospitalized and dying from COVID-19 is getting vaccinated and boosted as soon as you are eligible."
https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/3535
sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
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Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Omicron hospitalizations appear to be peaking in Louisiana; see latest COVID data
WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio | By Rosemary Westwood
Published January 25, 2022 at 9:53 AM CST
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Hospitalizations appeared to have peaked at Ochsner facilities across the state on Jan. 11, at 726 people. That’s about a third lower than the largest number hospitalized during the delta surge on Aug. 9, when 1,074 patients were being treated at its hospitals.
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The latest data from the Louisiana Department of Health buttressed the idea that omicron is waning.
On Jan. 19 there were 2,367 people hospitalized across the state. Monday’s data showed 2,127 people hospitalized, a drop of over 200 in less than a week.
That would leave delta as the worst surge Louisiana has yet witnessed. At the peak of the delta surge on Aug. 17, 3,022 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Louisiana.
If these trends continue, the omicron surge will have caused the second-highest rate of hospitalized COVID patients over the five surges seen in Louisiana since the pandemic’s outbreak.
The data show omicron, though a milder infection for many people, still proved serious for many, causing severe illness and clogging hospitals already suffering from staffing shortages.
...
https://www.wwno.org/public-health/...be-peaking-in-louisiana-see-latest-covid-data
WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio | By Rosemary Westwood
Published January 25, 2022 at 9:53 AM CST
...
Hospitalizations appeared to have peaked at Ochsner facilities across the state on Jan. 11, at 726 people. That’s about a third lower than the largest number hospitalized during the delta surge on Aug. 9, when 1,074 patients were being treated at its hospitals.
...
The latest data from the Louisiana Department of Health buttressed the idea that omicron is waning.
On Jan. 19 there were 2,367 people hospitalized across the state. Monday’s data showed 2,127 people hospitalized, a drop of over 200 in less than a week.
That would leave delta as the worst surge Louisiana has yet witnessed. At the peak of the delta surge on Aug. 17, 3,022 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Louisiana.
If these trends continue, the omicron surge will have caused the second-highest rate of hospitalized COVID patients over the five surges seen in Louisiana since the pandemic’s outbreak.
The data show omicron, though a milder infection for many people, still proved serious for many, causing severe illness and clogging hospitals already suffering from staffing shortages.
...
https://www.wwno.org/public-health/...be-peaking-in-louisiana-see-latest-covid-data
sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
bump this
Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
As masks drop along Carnival parade routes, health expert warns, ‘Covid is still here’
By Josh Roberson
Published: Feb. 20, 2022 at 12:08 PM CST
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) -
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Health educator Dr. Eric Griggs said watching the images from the first major Mardi Gras weekend in New Orleans since 2020, one might think there was no pandemic at all.
“From the looks of it, it seems like people think it’s over,” Dr. Griggs said. “I don’t see much masking. I don’t necessarily advise that.
“Covid is still here. Variants are still going around. People are still testing positive.”
...
https://www.fox8live.com/2022/02/20...utes-health-expert-warns-covid-is-still-here/
By Josh Roberson
Published: Feb. 20, 2022 at 12:08 PM CST
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) -
...
Health educator Dr. Eric Griggs said watching the images from the first major Mardi Gras weekend in New Orleans since 2020, one might think there was no pandemic at all.
“From the looks of it, it seems like people think it’s over,” Dr. Griggs said. “I don’t see much masking. I don’t necessarily advise that.
“Covid is still here. Variants are still going around. People are still testing positive.”
...
https://www.fox8live.com/2022/02/20...utes-health-expert-warns-covid-is-still-here/
Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
LDH confirms 3 pediatric deaths from COVID-19
February 22, 2022
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) sadly confirms three pediatric deaths of the Omicron surge. A total of 21 children under 18 years old have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic in Louisiana.
Two of the children were under 5 years old. The third child was between 5 and 17 years old. The deaths took place in the past week. There were 9 pediatric deaths during the Delta surge.
"Every life lost is a tragedy. That we have lost 21 children in our state to COVID-19, many of them not yet eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, is unbearable," said State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter. "Our young children who are not eligible to get the vaccine rely on us to protect them. While cases are declining from our Omicron surge, the risk is not zero. Families should carefully judge their risk and risk tolerance, particularly in the Mardi Gras season. Becoming fully vaccinated and boosted if eligible, wearing a high-quality and well-fitting mask, and avoiding crowds and indoor unmasked public spaces can increase a family’s protection and lower their risk.”
...
https://ldh.la.gov/news/6532
February 22, 2022
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) sadly confirms three pediatric deaths of the Omicron surge. A total of 21 children under 18 years old have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic in Louisiana.
Two of the children were under 5 years old. The third child was between 5 and 17 years old. The deaths took place in the past week. There were 9 pediatric deaths during the Delta surge.
"Every life lost is a tragedy. That we have lost 21 children in our state to COVID-19, many of them not yet eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, is unbearable," said State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter. "Our young children who are not eligible to get the vaccine rely on us to protect them. While cases are declining from our Omicron surge, the risk is not zero. Families should carefully judge their risk and risk tolerance, particularly in the Mardi Gras season. Becoming fully vaccinated and boosted if eligible, wearing a high-quality and well-fitting mask, and avoiding crowds and indoor unmasked public spaces can increase a family’s protection and lower their risk.”
...
https://ldh.la.gov/news/6532
sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
bump this
Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Indoor mask mandate will lift in New Orleans on Thursday morning
WDSU Updated: 2:39 PM CST Mar 2, 2022
NEW ORLEANS —
Wednesday afternoon, New Orleans Health Department Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno provided an update on the city's COVID-19 mitigation measures.
Avegno has announced that due to low case counts and hospitalizations, the indoor mask mandate in New Orleans will be lifted beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday.
Mask requirements will remain in place in healthcare facilities and on public transit.
Avegno also said that if transmission levels remain low in New Orleans, the vaccine or negative test requirement will be lifted for businesses on March 21.
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https://www.wdsu.com/article/dr-jen...ate-on-new-orleans-covid-19-measures/39299548
WDSU Updated: 2:39 PM CST Mar 2, 2022
NEW ORLEANS —
Wednesday afternoon, New Orleans Health Department Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno provided an update on the city's COVID-19 mitigation measures.
Avegno has announced that due to low case counts and hospitalizations, the indoor mask mandate in New Orleans will be lifted beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday.
Mask requirements will remain in place in healthcare facilities and on public transit.
Avegno also said that if transmission levels remain low in New Orleans, the vaccine or negative test requirement will be lifted for businesses on March 21.
...
https://www.wdsu.com/article/dr-jen...ate-on-new-orleans-covid-19-measures/39299548
sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
bump this
Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Louisiana's emergency COVID order will finally expire Wednesday
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Author: WWL Staff
Published: 1:34 PM CDT March 14, 2022
Updated: 10:17 PM CDT March 14, 2022
BATON ROUGE, La. — Two years after Louisiana reported its first confirmed death from COVID-19, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday that he will not renew his coronavirus emergency order which expires on Wednesday.
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The governor extended his emergency order last month, saying the state was "definitely on the downswing" of the Omicron variant's surge. The most recent renewal will expire on March 16.
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"Just because the proclamation is expiring, doesn't mean COVID is over," Edwards cautioned. "If the circumstances call for it, I will not hesitate to declare another emergency. But God Willing, we will never have to see such difficult mitigation measures in our state again."
The Louisiana Department of Health has reported 16,913 deaths linked to COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
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https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/...pire/289-73840e04-1675-45db-b045-317b861beb91
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Author: WWL Staff
Published: 1:34 PM CDT March 14, 2022
Updated: 10:17 PM CDT March 14, 2022
BATON ROUGE, La. — Two years after Louisiana reported its first confirmed death from COVID-19, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday that he will not renew his coronavirus emergency order which expires on Wednesday.
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The governor extended his emergency order last month, saying the state was "definitely on the downswing" of the Omicron variant's surge. The most recent renewal will expire on March 16.
...
"Just because the proclamation is expiring, doesn't mean COVID is over," Edwards cautioned. "If the circumstances call for it, I will not hesitate to declare another emergency. But God Willing, we will never have to see such difficult mitigation measures in our state again."
The Louisiana Department of Health has reported 16,913 deaths linked to COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
...
https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/...pire/289-73840e04-1675-45db-b045-317b861beb91
sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
bump this