COVID-19 reroutes Cassidy visit

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy has postponed an in-person stop that was to have taken place in Ruston on Thursday because of Louisiana’s novel coronavirus situation.

Cassidy’s Press Secretary Cole Avery said events on the senator’s itinerary have “been postponed or made into virtual meetings out of an abundance of caution for the health of attendees, the senator and staff.”

Cassidy was to have held a meet-and-greet sponsored by the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce at the Lincoln Parish Safety Complex.

However, the chamber said Monday the event was off.

“As a result of the increasing coronavirus cases in north Louisiana and Lincoln Parish, Sen. Cassidy feels it’s best not to come at this time. We will look at rescheduling this event at a later time,” the chamber said via email update.

Avery said the chamber was offered a virtual appearance, but chamber officials said they didn’t recall that portion of the conversation.

The senator’s delayed visit comes as cases of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus, continue to grow statewide and locally.

As of noon Monday, the Louisiana Department of Health reported 353 COVID-19 cases in Lincoln Parish. That’s a 12.4% jump over a week’s time.