Virus positivity jumps 53% over week’s time

The percent of positive tests for COVID-19 in Lincoln Parish jumped 53% from late June to July 8, according to figures released Wednesday by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).

From June 25 to July 1, the positivity rate was 6.6%. From July 2 through July 8, the rate climbed to slightly more than 10%, for a week-to-week increase just over 53%, the LDH numbers show.

The positivity rate indicates the percentage of total novel coronavirus tests conducted that come back positive. The numbers do not appear to take into account any duplicate tests that may have been done over those weeks.

Census track data also provided by LDH shows the most concentrated area of COVID-19 cases in Lincoln Parish is an area between Ruston and Choudrant, both north and south of Interstate 20.

As of Wednesday, Lincoln Parish had 468 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the count began in March. The number does not deduct for patients who have recovered from the respiratory illness. But it does include the 19 local residents who have died from the virus.

Louisianans have been under a mandatory mask order since Monday in the state’s latest attempt to fight the surging number of COVID-19 cases statewide. The order continues until at least July 24.

LPSO resumes grocery delivery to those in need

Meantime, the Lincoln Parish Sheriff ’s Office has resumed its grocery delivery service to parish senior citizens and others at high risk for the virus.

Once you’ve submitted your grocery order online to either of Ruston’s Walmart locations or Super 1 Foods, call the LPSO at 251-6407 and provide your customer name or order number, store location, date and time block of scheduled pickup and phone number and delivery address.

The LPSO made more than 150 grocery deliveries during its initial delivery period from March 23 to June 1.