Coronavirus cases jump to 58

The number of verified coronavirus cases in Lincoln Parish is now at 58, according to Wednesday’s update from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The sixcase jump from Tuesday’s report is the largest single-day reporting increase since tracking began in March.

Heretofore, the biggest jump had been five new confirmed cases reported from April 9 to April 10.

So far, LDH still lists only two Lincoln Parish deaths related to the COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. However, other sources say the disease has claimed at least one more local life.

Statewide, the COVID-19 numbers also continue to grow, though generally not with the frequency they were several weeks ago. Known cases statewide are at 25,258, with 1,473 deaths attributed to the virus.

Meantime, Gov. John Bel Edwards has appointed Grambling State University assistant chemistry professor Jacqueline Harris to a subcommittee of the Louisiana COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force.

The task force is charged with addressing health disparities that may challenge minorities and vulnerable populations in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harris will serve on the data analytics subcommittee.