State eclipses 18K COVID deaths

Louisiana has officially surpassed 18,000 COVID-19 deaths since the state recorded its first COVID- 19 death on March 14, 2020. The Louisiana Department of Health reported 18,023 people have died in its Monday COVID-19 data update.

COVID- 19, which has claimed more than one million American lives since the start of the pandemic, was the leading cause of death in the United States in 2020 and 2021, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In Louisiana, COVID- 19 has been the third-leading cause of death since 2020, behind only heart disease and cancer. “Today we mark a tragic and sobering milestone in Louisiana as we recognize the more than 18,000 loved ones from every corner of this state who are no longer with us because of COVID- 19,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said.

“ We have come a long way in combating this virus, and I remain hopeful that we will see fewer deaths in the months and years to come. While we continue to come down from our sixth and longest surge to date, the reality is that this virus is still very much with us.”

LDH State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said the magnitude of the loss caused by the pandemic is what drives the department to continue its work to preserve life.

“We have made critical progress in the fight against COVID-19 and are on the right track,” Kanter said. “ Case numbers, hospitalizations, and deaths are on the decline. Though we have come far, it is likely new variants will continue to emerge, and there may be a fall or winter surge.” Nearly 2.5 million people in Louisiana have completed their primary vaccine series against COVID-19. Updated COVID- 19 booster shots now available across Louisiana are formulated to offer continued protection against the original strain of the virus, while also offering better protection against the two lineages of the Omicron variant, BA. 4 and BA. 5, which represent over 90% of the currently circulating virus.

CDC and LDH recommend that everyone ages 6 months and up get vaccinated against COVID-19 and that everyone ages 5 and up get a booster as soon as they are eligible.

CDC and LDH recommend everyone 6 months of age and older get their flu shot.

Residents looking for a flu or COVID- 19 vaccine near them can go to vaccines. gov to find a convenient location.