The COVID-19 numbers in New Orleans is not looking good according to New Orleans Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno at a media conference Thursday.
“With Thanksgiving happening just a few weeks ago, and the winter holidays approaching, the prospect of a surge on top of a surge is quite real,” Avegno said. “And while New Orleans and Louisiana held back the rise and spread for some time, unfortunately we are seeing our trends -- like the rest of the nation – go in the wrong direction.”
She says the number for daily case counts, percent positivity of test, hospitalization utilization, and the rate of virus transmission have all significantly worsened in the last few weeks. Avegno says today’s numbers are surpassing summer case spike numbers with a daily average of four to five times the case numbers from a month ago.
“Our positivity rate has been rising fast as well,” said Avegno. “Over three times what it was a month ago.”
The city’s positivity rate between August and November remained a low two percent. However, Avegno says that rate number has now climbed to five percent. She says the data shows the virus is spread thorough smaller intimate gatherings.
She urged now is not the time to become complacent or relax restrictions.
“We are at truly at a critical point in controlling the outbreak,” said Avegno. “There are many challenges we are facing right now which predict a continued rise in case, positivity, hospitalizations and even deaths as we are seeing nationwide. This comes during the holiday season which many of us normally would be gathering with family and friends in multiple settings for weeks.”
The city is expected to issue new covid restrictions soon.
