COVID-19 Grim Outlook

The latest statistics from the Louisiana Department of Health show things that the public doesn't want to see. During the month between mid-July to mid-August, thousands of Louisiana residents have become stricken with COVID-19, and the outlook for any kind of let-up is grim. Statistics covering the weekend of August 13 - 15 revealed most who were admitted into hospitals were unvaccinated. As an example, to illustrate just how bad things are, the latest numbers show that out of 154 people admitted, an astounding 91% of them were unvaccinated. It gets worse, as the number of ICU beds is at a low 20 out of 102 beds allocated for ICU patients in our northeast Louisiana, Region 8 designation. Those 154 patients are hospitalized and treated at St. Francis, Oschner/LSU, and Glenwood Regional, the area's three major medical facilities.

At a recent press conference, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards warned state residents that if the measures used to reduce the infection rate are not continually utilized, the state will be in even more trouble in the future. Edwards referred to mask-wearing, social distancing, hand washing, and most importantly, getting the vaccine shot. Vaccinations had seen a modest increase in the state after a third surge developed when the state became more open to normal activities. The surge was caused mainly by unvaccinated people becoming infected. The Covid virus began to spread in record numbers, and now Louisiana has the highest rate of Covid infections in the nation. Even the governor's office has Covid problems, with at least seven individuals on his staff testing positive for COVID-19.

The mask mandate has been controversial and bitter across the state, as residents have attempted to get the mask mandate overturned because of various personal reasons. The state continues to have a low vaccination rate despite the record number of people becoming infected. The state's "Take a shot at a million" is hoping to draw more people in by having them get vaccinated, with the hopes of winning big in a "lottery" as the payoff. There have already been several winners. There is also a program to get at least 75,000 people vaccinated, with each receiving a $100 Visa card. Edwards is concerned because the age group at risk when vaccines started was the 60 and over group. According to recent statistics, that group has been replaced by the 18-29 age group, followed by the 30-39 group, with the 40-49 group making up the top three groups. The Monroe Dispatch noted in earlier reporting that young children are becoming more infected, as over 1,700 reported cases in the 0-4 and 5-17 age groups occurred over the last month. Local school boards are taking measures, but one has to wonder whether they will be enough.