Gov. John Bel Edwards continued to express cautious optimism at a news conference Tuesday that mitigation efforts, such as social distancing and complying with his stay-at-home order, are on track to improve public health in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. But he also warned the next two weeks will be especially critical.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the confirmed number of cases increased to 16,284 April 7, with the death toll hitting 582. Louisiana is now No. 1 in the rate of testing per capita, compared to the rest of the United States. In a state of nearly 4.7 million residents, 75,000 people have been tested. Still, Edwards said, it’s not “ideal” and he wants testing to become more widespread.
Researchers are also examining why the virus is disproportionately deadly in the black community, Edwards said. Yesterday it was revealed that more than 70% of the deaths have been among black residents — though African Americans make up only 32% of the state’s overall population. Comorbid conditions, such as hypertension, kidney disease, diabetes and heart disease, are higher among African Americans and could be a major factor. Edwards pointed out that hotbeds for the virus — such as New Orleans and, outside of Louisiana, Detroit and Chicago — have high black populations.
“We have a lot more questions than we have answers,” he said.
The field non-critical field hospital opens Monday for patients who don't have critical medical needs.
Edwards also said the New Orleans area no longer was on track to run out of ventilators and hospital beds, as previous models had suggested it would. The spillover facility at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center opened Monday for COVID-19 patients with less serious cases of the virus, taking pressure off hospitals, which can deal with more critical cases.
But he warned the figures could spike if people ignore his social distancing orders and don’t stay home.
“We are seeing early signs that the curve is starting to flatten," Edwards said.
"But what this means is we have to continue to do the things that caused the curve to flatten. Just because we think we’re starting to flatten the curve doesn’t mean our job is over. Now is the time to double down. This is going to be a difficult week, and next week is going to be difficult.”
Another crucial update he provided was the influx of personal protective equipment for health care workers and first responders. Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, had pledged to donate 10 million N-95 masks across the country; Edwards said 400,000 arrived last night and will be distributed to hospitals across the state. Louisiana also received an additional 14,000 N-95 masks from AmeriCorps.
The governor is encouraging the public to send his office questions about COVID-19 and the state’s response, which he can answer during his almost-daily news conferences. Constituents can email questions to askJBE@la.gov.
Committees should decline any bill not necessary to the state's functionality or the public's survival.