Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards says his state has the fastest growing cases of coronavirus in the world.

Edwards, who has announced a stay at home order for the 4.6 million residents in his state, said on Sunday that Louisiana had seen the highest initial growth rate of confirmed cases globally.

Citing statistics from a University of Louisiana at Lafayette study, Edwards said the growth rate in the state was headed for a steep upward trajectory similar to what Spain and Italy have experienced.

He said Louisiana had the third highest number of cases per capita in the US behind New York and Washington respectively.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said on Sunday that his state has the fastest growing cases of coronavirus in the world

As of Monday, the state had 1,172 confirmed cases and 35 deaths as a result of the virus.

He said the figure of confirmed cases had increased from 100 to more than 800 in a week.

'We have the fastest growth rate of confirmed cases in the world over the first 13 days right here in Louisiana,' Edwards said.

'In the last two weeks our growth rate has been faster than any state or country in the world. This is why it matters.

'If we want to flatten the curve we have to take more aggressive mitigation measures now and limit social contact now... We've got to take action now.'

He said that if the disease continues to spread at its current rate, the state could run out of healthcare capacity with seven to 10 days.

Edwards announced a stay at home ban for his state that will come into effect on Monday at 5pm.

As of Sunday, Edwards said the state had 837 confirmed cases and 20 deaths as a result of the virus

Edwards, who has announced a stay at home order for the 4.6 million residents in his state, said on Sunday that Louisiana had seen the highest initial growth rate of confirmed cases globally

Citing statistics from a University of Louisiana at Lafayette study, Edwards said the growth rate in the state was headed for a steep upward trajectory similar to what Spain and Italy have experienced

Residents have been asked to stay home unless they are performing an essential task like getting food or medicine.

First-responders and workers in grocery stores, pharmacies, doctors' offices and other critical infrastructure are exempt from his directive, which will remain in effect until April 12, and could be extended beyond that.

'I've said this before, but there is no reason to believe that we won't be the next Italy,' he said.

'What happened in Italy is they started too late. People didn't socially distance. They thought they could just focus on that part of the country where the outbreak was heaviest.'

There are at least seven nursing homes in Louisiana alone with coronavirus cases, according to Sunday's report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Seven of the state's 20 reported deaths have been linked to one retirement home.

Street performer Eddie Webb looks around the nearly deserted French Quarter looking to make money in New Orleans on Sunday