Louisiana is continuing its efforts to slow down the spread of COVID-19, the new coronavirus, but cases continue to grow.
Businesses are shuttered and schools are out across the state.
The highest number of cases is concentrated in the New Orleans area, where there are 176 coronavirus cases. The Crescent City has also been one of the cities in the country where cases continue to increase at a faster rate than others.
All five people who died of coronavirus were New Orleans residents, health officials said.
Three of the people who died were residents of a senior living center in New Orleans.
Other parishes, including Lafourche, Terrebonne and Jefferson, also have cases. Coronavirus cases have begun to spread out from the metro into places that weren’t previously affected, including Ascension and Washington parishes. East Baton Rouge is also reporting its first cases.
The first drive-thru screening center for the coronavirus is now open on the Westbank. Those wanting to get tested must first call the West Jefferson Medical Center’s COVID-19 hotline at 504-962-6202.
Back in New Orleans, more than a dozen patients who tested positive for coronavirus were residents of the senior living center where three people died of COVID-19.
“It is absolutely critical that you avoid close contact with others,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a statement this week.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
In an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, state and local leaders are increasing restrictions on public gatherings. The goal has been to put an emphasis on social distancing because while most people who get coronavirus may recover quickly or be asymptomatic, they can still spread COVID-19 to vulnerable members of the community.
Schools have been closed and officials are stressing the importance of not congregating in areas. Bars, theaters and casinos will be shut down until at least April 13.
Louisiana restaurants are limited to only take-out, delivery or drive-through business.
New Orleans police are also reminding restaurants that all indoor and outside dining is prohibited. Officers are patrolling neighborhoods to make sure businesses are complying.
Mayor Cantrell is also telling residents to call 3-1-1 to report illegal large gatherings. New Orleans police have been patrolling neighborhoods. The restaurant and bar closures were most significant for the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, a tourist hotspot.
“Stay home if possible. Even if you aren’t ill, if you catch COVID-19 you can pass it onto your loved ones who are high-risk,” Cantrell said.
New Orleans and Louisiana are part of a national crisis that has spread to all states.
Other states including Michigan and New Mexico have limited public gatherings to fewer than 50 people, while Oregon put the cap at 25.
In the United States, there are at least 6,135 cases across all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington D.C. At least 111 have died from the virus.
President Donald Trump officially declared the coronavirus outbreak a national emergency, pledging $50 billion in federal funds to combat the virus.
Trump said private labs and vaccine developers would be provided millions of coronavirus tests within a month, including half a million this week.
