COVID-19 in Louisiana: Tracking cases, deaths and latest restrictions – WDSU New Orleans

Here you can get the latest information on the coronavirus, or COVID-19, in Louisiana and resources to be prepared and keep your family safe.Here are the latest Louisiana coronavirus numbers: LDH has discontinued the daily updates on the weekends. Here are today’s numbers: 450,279 cases.383,522 Of total cases are confirmed cases, 66,757 are probable cases.442 new cases reported 10,241 total deaths9,376 are confirmed deaths and 879 are probable deaths.14 new deaths reported 330 patients in the hospital, with 49 of those on ventilators.6,720,948 total tests completed and reported to state *includes molecular and antigen testing.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 users click here to see the interactive map below for a look at coronavirus in your area.COVID-19 Headlines: Week of Apr. 12, 2021While COVID-19 vaccination numbers climb across the country, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are also on the rise, fueled by the B.1.1.7 variant. Americans ages 18 to 64 have seen increasing numbers of emergency department visits. An influential COVID-19 model predicts about 618,523 people will have died from coronavirus in the U.S. by August 1. If 95% of the U.S. population wore masks, at least 14,000 lives could be saved. A new study shows many people infected with COVID-19 have long-term mental health symptoms. Researchers are finding about one in three COVID-19 survivors had neurological or psychological issues long after getting sick. It is the largest study of its kind, involving the medical records of more than 200,000 COVID-19 patients How does Louisiana compare to other states?What are the COVID-19 restrictions in Louisiana?Louisiana is currently in a modified Phase 3 plan.The majority of businesses, including restaurants and salons, will be able to move to 75% of their capacity. Bars in all parishes will be able to open for indoor service at 25% capacity, not to exceed 250 people. In parishes where the percent positivity is 5% or lower for two consecutive weeks, bars may have indoor service at 50% capacity, not to exceed 250 people.Alcohol sales must still end at 11 p.m. and no one under the age of 21 can enter a bar.Patrons must be masked at all times except when consuming food or drink, and they must be served at socially distanced tables. Live music will be allowed indoors under additional guidance provided by the State Fire Marshal.Indoor gatherings may operate at 50% capacity with a cap of 250 people.Outdoor events may operate at 50% of their capacity, with no cap on attendance, but six feet of social distancing must be practiced.Conventions, conferences, indoor sporting events and fairs and festivals may operate at up to 50% capacity with six feet of social distancing required, if they receive approval from the State Fire Marshal and the Louisiana Department of Health.Religious services will no longer have capacity limits, but social distancing is strongly encouraged and masking will still be required.Gyms and fitness centers will remain at 50% of their capacity, based on recent research from the CDC that raises concern about the spread of COVID-19 in these settings.This order will be in effect for 28 days, until March 31.You can read the governor’s new phase three order here. I live in Louisiana. What states in the country can I travel to?There are no travel restrictions in the state at this time. What are the symptoms of COVID-19/coronavirus?Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the symptoms you should watch out for:Fever or chillsCoughShortness of breath or difficulty breathingFatigueMuscle or body achesHeadacheNew loss of taste or smellSore throatCongestion or runny noseNausea or vomitingDiarrheaThis list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about the virus.Should I get tested for COVID-19? Where can I get a test in Louisiana?The CDC recommends that you should consider taking a COVID-19 test if you:have symptoms of COVID-19.have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, local/external icon or state ​health department.To get a test in Louisiana, call 211 or your health care provider.The CDC recommends calling your primary care doctor or using telemedicine instead of showing up with COVID-19 symptoms at a doctor’s office, clinic or hospital.The FDA has also approved a test for COVID-19 that you can take at home. The test kits are available for purchase on Amazon with a turnaround time for results of 24 to 72 hours after the sample is shipped and received.Emergency care for COVID-19 symptomsThe CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:Trouble breathingPersistent pain or pressure in the chestNew confusionInability to wake or stay awakeBluish lips or faceThis list is not all possible symptoms. Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.Who is most at risk for coronavirus?Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms of COVID-19, according to the CDC.Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from the virus.Flu or COVID-19. What’s the difference between them?Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. That’s when testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.There are some key differences between flu and COVID-19. The CDC says it seems COVID-19 spreads more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. It can also take longer before people show symptoms of COVID-19 and people can be contagious for a longer period of time than the flu.Another difference is there is a vaccine to protect against the flu. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.