Louisiana COVID-19 cases still rising, masks now required in state buildings

BATON ROUGE – With a mask mandate in place for government agencies across Louisiana and COVID-19 cases on the rise, government officials warn residents to brace themselves for the rising surge.  

In a Friday press conference, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that Louisiana had the highest growth in COVID-19 cases per capita in the U.S., urging vaccination. Since then, the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles announced that masks would be required in their buildings, and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center announced that non-urgent inpatient procedures would be halted to give the center the capacity to treat COVID-19 patients. 

As of noon Monday, the Louisiana Department of Health announced 7,592 new cases across the state with 14 new COVID-19 deaths. Currently, there are 1,221 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, with 113 patients on ventilators, a significant increase from last week. On Friday, the state had 3,127 new COVID-19 cases,1,008 COVID-19 patients in hospitals and 82 COVID-19 patients on ventilators. 

Only around 40% of Louisianians are currently vaccinated or in the process of vaccination. No increased COVID-19 restrictions for schools or colleges are currently in place.