Coronavirus cases still going up; state lists deaths

The Louisiana Department of Health’s daily coronavirus report now reflects the two deaths that local officials attributed to the virus on Monday.

The updated report, released at noon Friday, shows Lincoln Parish with 47 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, and the two confirmed deaths. Though LDH numbers do not give specific information about COVID-19 patients, other sources say that both of the deceased are black men.

Meantime, the 47 confirmed cases is four more than the 43 cases LDH reported on Thursday, and 10 more than one week ago.

According to LDH, 306 coronavirus swab tests have been administered in Lincoln Parish. That puts at approximately 15% the number of positive cases among people who have been tested locally.

Statewide, both the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths from the illness continue to increase.

As of Friday’s report, Louisiana stood at 23,118 confirmed cases and 1,213 deaths.

Gov. John Bel Edwards once again urged Louisianans to heed the stay-at-home order and adhere to 6-feet-apart social distancing regulations when in public.

“Social distancing data shows Louisiana is below average when compared to other states,” Edwards said via social media.

“We can do better than that. Stay home and stop the spread.”