We want to help keep things clear for you this week on the coronavirus. Take a breath. Scouring the internet, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We’ve collected things to know about the virus and where to get local information.
COVID-19, also known more commonly as the new coronavirus disease, has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Here’s what you need to know about the disease in Louisiana. This page will be updated with new information as it develops.
How many people have COVID-19 in Louisiana?
- 27,286 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Louisiana.
- Deaths: 1,758
- Tests completed by state lab: 7,567
- Tests reported to the State by commercial labs: 143,541
Have there been emergency declarations?
- Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a public health emergency.
- New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a state of emergency.
What does a declaration of a public health emergency and state of emergency do?
- A public health emergency declaration deploys additional resources to help local authorities in managing and getting assistance in preparing. It also prevents any price gouging of goods.
- A state of emergency declaration allows officials to perform actions or impose policies that it would normally not be permitted to undertake to manage the situation. It is much like the public health emergency declaration in many ways, freeing up resources.
How many cases are in Orleans Parish?
- Orleans Parish — 675 cases
View parish-by-parish here: Louisiana Department of Health
Where are the people being tested in the New Orleans area?
- Veteran Affairs Hospital in New Orleans
- Touro Hospital
- University Medical Center
- Tulane Medical Center
- Slidell Memorial Hospital
- Ochsner St. Anne in Raceland
- Ochsner West Bank in Gretna
What centers are designated for COVID-19 assessment and testing, if recommended by the Louisiana Department of Health and my healthcare provider?
- New Orleans
Ochsner Urgent Care – Mid-City at Canal
4100 Canal St, New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 70119 - Bayou Region
Ochsner Urgent Care – Houma
5922 W. Main St., Suite A
Houma, LA 70360 - Northshore
Ochsner Urgent Care – Mandeville
2735 US-190, Suite D
Mandeville, LA 70471
What about urgent care facilities?
- Patients seeking medical care who would like to be seen at an urgent care can find a full list of locations at www.ochsner.org/urgentcare. Alternative locations in the regions listed above are:
- New Orleans
Ochsner Urgent Care- Lakeview
111C Robert E. Lee Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70124 - Bayou Region
Ochsner Urgent Care- Thibodaux
318 North Canal Blvd.
Thibodaux, LA 70301 - Northshore
Ochsner Urgent Care & Occupational Health- Covington
1111 Greengate Dr., Suite B
Covington, LA 70433
- New Orleans
Are events in New Orleans canceled/postponed?
- Any event with 50 or more attendees is not recommended, according to the CDC.
Have schools or businesses closed?
- Universities and schools have closed or switched to online-only classes in the New Orleans area.
- Bars, casinos and movie theaters will be shut down statewide Mar. 17 – Apr. 13.
- Restaurants are drive-through or delivery only.
- Tour groups can be no larger than 7 people
Where can I get the latest information on coronavirus in New Orleans, Louisiana?
- Louisiana Department of Health
- Office of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards
- NOLA Ready
- Website
- Facebook Page
- Text COVIDNOLA to 888777 for text message updates
- Local News Special Section
Has travel been suspended in or out of New Orleans?
- No. There are no travel restrictions within the United States. President Donald Trump issued a restriction on travel to Europe on March 11.
Where can I get national information on the coronavirus?
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- CDC Facebook Page
- Twitter: @cdcgov
- National Institutes for Health (NIH)
- Website: https://www.nih.gov/health-information/coronavirus
- NIH Facebook Page
- Twitter: @NIH
What are the symptoms of the new coronavirus?
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
When do the symptoms begin to appear?
- The symptoms may appear between 2 to 14 days after exposure
Are there any treatments for the new coronavirus?
- There are no medications specifically approved for COVID-19.
How does coronavirus spread?
- The virus is thought to spread between people in close contact (within 6 feet) and through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
What is the virus?
- The novel cornonavirus, also known as COVID-19, is a respiratory disease that was first detected in China. It has now been detected in nearly 70 countries, including the United States.
What do I do if I am sick?
- If you recently came into contact with someone with the virus or traveled to an area affected by COVID-19, and you feel ill, stay home and call your doctor immediately. Do not go to the doctor without calling first.
- If you have the symptoms — fever, shortness of breath and a cough, call your primary care provider. If you do not have a primary care provider, call the Louisiana Department of Health hotline at 1-855-523-2652.
- If you feel severely ill and you need to go to a hospital, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
Who may be at the greatest risk?
- Older people and people with underlying health conditions seem to be at greater risk of serious illness, according to health officials. Those conditions include heart disease, lung disease, and cancer.
Can I prevent COVID-19 from spreading?
- While there isn’t a vaccine, health officials ask the public to do the following:
- Work from home if possible
- Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds – Here’s a list of New Orleans songs to sing to time out your hand washing
- Do not touch your face
- Avoid shaking hands, kissing on the cheek in greetings
- Limit unnecessary travel via airlines, cruise ships, trains or buses.
- Avoid large gatherings of people when possible
This page will be updated as new information develops.
