Virus claims record-high hospitalizations across Louisiana

Louisiana’s novel coronavirus pandemic reached a new pinnacle Tuesday as state health officials announced a record-setting 2,112 COVID-19 hospitalizations  statewide. The number of hospitalizations eclipsed the previous Jan. 7 high-point by 43, according to figures from the Louisiana Department of Health. 

During a Monday news conference in which Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a reinstatement of the statewide face mask mandate, State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said epidemiology trends indicated the hospitalization record would not only be broken Tuesday but would also continue to rise.

Health officials consider the hospitalization rate one of the most important factors in managing a pandemic because it directly indicates the state’s healthcare capacity. Throughout the pandemic, the governor has pointed to hospitalizations as the factor behind several of his mitigation decisions. 

Each additional hospitalization of a COVID-19 patient reduces a hospital’s ability to treat other emergencies and illnesses, according to doctors who joined Edwards during his Monday news conference. Across the state, patients have been stranded in waiting rooms because beds are not available. At Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, patients have lingered in waiting rooms for up to four days, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Phyllis Mason said. 

The state health department reported 4,725 new cases for a total of more than a half-million since the pandemic reached Louisiana March 2020 and 59 new daily deaths for a total of 11,085. The statewide positivity rate is above 13%. Louisiana remains the worst in the nation for the most new daily cases per capita — a ranking it has held for nearly two weeks. The second worst state, Florida,  is “not even close,” Edwards said.  

Dr. Kanter said the aggressive Delta variant of COVID-19 is proving at least twice as transmissible as previous strains.

The unvaccinated population accounts for 90% of the cases and 89% of deaths, according to health department data. The largest share of infections is in the 18-29 age group.

Hospitalizations related to breakthrough infections of vaccinated people remain rare. If exposed to the virus, a fully vaccinated person is about eight times less likely to be infected, 25 times less likely to be hospitalized and 25 times less likely to die, Kanter said Monday. 

One “silver lining,” Kanter said, is the gravity of the situation has apparently caused a nearly four-fold increase in vaccinations. Last week, the state was averaging about 2,000 vaccine initiations per day, but that number has jumped to more than 11,000 a day, he said.

Low vaccination rates among hospital staff across the state are prompting some administrators to implement new vaccine mandates. On Tuesday Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System in Baton Rouge announced a new vaccine mandate for all team members, providers, residents, students, contractors and volunteers, and Baton Rouge General made a similar announcement shortly thereafter, according to the Advocate.

Kanter urged anyone with any symptoms, no matter how mild, to get tested at their local pharmacy or testing center and limit contact with other people. Those with only mild symptoms should stay away from emergency rooms and go elsewhere for testing.

“I’m going to ask you to avoid emergency departments if possible,” he said. “Don’t mistake me, if you are sick — really sick — go to the E.R. and don’t hesitate. But if you have very mild symptoms or if just need a test, I’m going to ask you until the hospitals get some more breathing room to find other places to receive those services.”

People 12 and older can get vaccinated free of charge at most large and local pharmacies around the state. Those interested should call their area pharmacy for more information.