On July 27, the Governor said that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Louisiana both hit records, and urged individuals to take immediate precautions for their own and others’ safety.
The Louisiana Department of Health announced 6,797 new COVID-19 cases reported to the state since July 26, 2021, the second highest single-day case count reported since January 6, 2021 (6,882 cases reported that day). Also, 1,390 people have been hospitalized, the largest single-day increase since March 2020.
“To see this current rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations is becoming increasingly scary,” said Gov. Edwards. “We reported nearly 6,800 cases today in addition to the nearly 8,000 that were reported from the weekend. And today, there are close to 1,400 COVID patients hospitalized statewide …approximately 90 percent of whom are unvaccinated. This is the largest single daily increase since March of last year.
“As I said recently, this surge is on us, and that means it is up to each of us to do our part to bring it to an end. It’s within our power. Getting vaccinated is the best way to stay safe and healthy during this pandemic. It is the best way to put it behind us. In addition, I am recommending that everyone, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, wear masks while indoors if six feet of physical distance cannot be maintained.”
“COVID is surging in Louisiana and it is not slowing down. As the dangerous and dominant Delta variant continues to spread and COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to skyrocket, we urge all individuals in Louisiana to protect themselves and their families,” said Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer.
“Mask while indoors and get tested if you suspect you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. These are public health emergency measures that will limit death and suffering during this fourth surge.”
In a press release on July 16, officials said:
•The number of new cases diagnosed each day in Louisiana has been increasing since June 16 and is now increasing in all nine regions of the state;
• The settings with the greatest outbreak increases included camps, child day cares, religious services and restaurants;
• In addition to the widespread circulation of the more transmissible Delta variant, insufficient masking and distancing, especially among unvaccinated individuals, are also contributing to the spread of COVID-19 in these settings.
On July 30, the Governor’s office disclosed that two members of Gov. Edwards’ team have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the press release.
Both are at home in isolation, per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Louisiana Department of Health, according to the press release.+
The Governor’s office has a high rate of fully vaccinated staff, including these staffers who were vaccinated against COVID earlier this year, according to the press release.
While breakthrough cases such as these do happen, they typically do not result in serious illness.
The Governor’s Office practices all CDC and LDH recommended COVID mitigation measures, including indoor masking, quarantine and isolation, and COVID testing after exposure, according to the press release.