Local COVID-19 cases, deaths continue climbing

In the span of a week, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Lincoln Parish has increased by 38%.

Over the same time period, the number of local residents who have died as a result of COVID-19 has climbed by 150%.

As of noon Tuesday, the Louisiana Department of Health daily report showed Lincoln Parish with 80 known cases of COVID-19 and five deaths attributed to the disease.

That compares to 22 known cases reported one week ago and two deaths.

The increase in known cases reflects a near daily upward trend that began around April 16.

However, the 80 confirmed cases aren’t all active.

The figure includes the five people who have died, as well as uncharted numbers who have recovered.

The parish recorded its first two positive cases of COVID-19 on March 22.

The new numbers come one day after Gov. John Bel Edwards extended the current “Stay-At-Home” order through May 15.

Edwards said Monday that Louisiana has not yet made enough progress in stemming the coronavirus to meet the White House’s criteria for phase one of reopening, which recommends a downward trajectory in new cases for 14 days.

Statewide, Louisiana had 27,286 confirmed cases on Tuesday, up 218 cases from the day before and including 1,758 deaths. The death count is up by 61 from the previous day’s report.

LDH reports as of Sunday, an estimated 17,303 Louisianans have recovered from COVID-19.