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Louisiana Department of Health Issues New Guidelines as the State Sees Record COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations

Published July 27, 2021

From the Louisiana Department of Health, Baton Rouge, LA — Today, July 27, 2021, as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Louisiana both hit records, the Louisiana Department of Health and Governor Edwards both urge individuals in Louisiana to take immediate precautions for their own and others’ safety.

The Louisiana Department of Health announces 6,797 new COVID-19 cases reported to the state since July 26, 2021 – the second-highest single-day case count reported since January 6, 2021 (6,882 cases reported that day).

Also today, 1,390 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Louisiana. That represents an increase of 169 hospitalizations since yesterday, the largest single-day increase since March 2020. There were three days in March 2020 where the increase was larger: March 25 (220), March 31 (196), and March 26 (185).

“To see this current rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations is becoming increasingly scary,” said Gov. Edwards. “We reported nearly 6,800 cases today in addition to the nearly 8,000 that were reported from the weekend. And today, there are close to 1,400 COVID patients hospitalized statewide — approximately 90 percent of whom are unvaccinated. This is the largest single daily increase since March of last year. the largest single daily increase since March of last year.

“As I said recently, this surge is on us, and that means it is up to each of us to do our part to bring it to an end. It’s within our power. Getting vaccinated is the best way to stay safe and healthy during this pandemic. It is the best way to put it behind us.

“In addition, I am recommending that everyone, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, wear masks while indoors if six feet of physical distance cannot be maintained.

“For anyone asking the question when will this end, the answer is simple: when we decide to do what it takes to end it.

“The most impactful tools to make that happen are free and widely available- the three safe and effective vaccines. I am pleading with everyone who is not vaccinated and is of age to make the decision today to get vaccinated. Talk to a trusted medical professional and get the facts. Don’t let misinformation keep you from protecting yourself and your loved ones.”

“COVID is surging in Louisiana and it is not slowing down. As the dangerous and dominant Delta variant continues to spread and COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to skyrocket, we urge all individuals in Louisiana to protect themselves and their families,” said Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer. “Mask while indoors and get tested if you suspect you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. These are public health emergency measures that will limit death and suffering during this fourth surge. To ultimately put this pandemic behind us we need many more Louisianans to go sleeves up, which is why it’s so encouraging to see our weekly vaccination rate climbing.”

Updated guidance from LDH

• All people — vaccinated and unvaccinated — should wear face masks while indoors if 6 feet of physical distance cannot be maintained.
• All businesses should review their operations to accommodate employees in a way that reduces unnecessary contact to avoid the spread of COVID in the workplace.
• All people should take a COVID test immediately after a known or suspected exposure to COVID-19.
• If positive, they should isolate immediately.
• If negative, they should retest again between five and seven days post-exposure.
• If they develop symptoms of COVID-19 at any point they should test and immediately isolate pending the results.

• At this time CDC advises that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine following an exposure to COVID-19, and LDH is not yet altering this guidance.
• Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, even those who are fully vaccinated or without a known exposure, should get tested.
• Anyone who tests positive should immediately isolate. Isolation (for those who test positive for COVID-19) typically consists of:
• If symptomatic, at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared, symptoms are improving, and at least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication
• If asymptomatic but with a positive test, 10 days from the time the test sample was collected.

Individuals can call the COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 1-855-453-0774 to get their questions answered, speak directly with a medical professional, find a vaccine provider near them, and schedule an appointment today.