Coronavirus numbers hold; GSU marks another case

Lincoln Parish recorded no new confirmed cases of coronavirus on Friday and no additional deaths.

The daily update the from Louisiana Department of Health released at noon Friday showed the parish with 85 known cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, and eight deaths — the same as Thursday’s report.

However, the number of parish residents tested for COVID-19 continues to climb. It’s now at 678, up by 36 tests from Thursday’s count. The swab test results won’t be known for at least another week.

Meantime, Grambling State University has closed Long-Jones Hall for sanitation after an employee who was in the building within the last two weeks tested positive for COVID-19. Long-Jones is the university’s administration building.

According to a press release issued by GSU on Friday, the employee is now under medical supervision off-campus.

“Until further notice, no one is permitted to enter Long-Jones Hall while the university employs professional sanitation and protocols for restoring the area for entry and use,” the release said. “At this time, there is minimal risk of spread through direct contact due to (the employee’s) lack of interaction with other during their time on campus.”

Overall, Louisiana’s COVID-19 count continues to climb, though generally not with the same frequency as it was several weeks ago. As of Friday, the state recorded 28,711 cases, up by 710 confirmed cases since Thursday. The death toll is 1,927.

Louisiana remains under a stay-at-home order until May 15, though nonessential businesses not specifically shuttered by the order began reopening Friday.

At least five downtown Ruston stores reopened Friday, though with shortened hours. Several others were expected to open over the weekend, with still others scheduled to reopen early in the week.