At his press conference Friday, Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is not in a good place when it comes to fighting back a fourth COVID surge.
“We don’t have good news today,” said Governor Edwards. There is no sign that we are at the peak of this fourth surge."
Governor Edwards says Louisiana's hospitals are at a breaking point and the only way to fight back the fourth surge will be for everyone to vaccinate.
The governor reports 7,548 new cases in Louisiana, which is the highest daily number, reported in the state. Of those new cases, 23% are under 18 years old.
There have been 57 new deaths reported making a total of 11,519 who have died from the virus, and 2,907 people are in the hospital, while 399 people are on ventilators, which is up 13 more from yesterday Governor Edwards reports.
"The COVID vaccines are safe and effective. 2.1 million first doses have been administered and only 8 people have had serious reactions," said Governor Edwards. "No one in Louisiana has died as a result of a COVID vaccine. Today we reported 57 deaths from COVID-19."
“We are again the number one hot spot for COVID in the country,” said State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter.
