New Orleans police have issued an arrest warrant for a man they believe organized a second line in Mid-City on Saturday and refused to stop the event after officers tried to shut it down citing coronavirus concerns.

Cecil Spencer, 38, is accused of orchestrating the second line of nearly 100 people attending a funeral repast in the 3000 block of Audubon Street and refusing to shut it down, even though large gatherings have been banned statewide to prevent further spread of COVID-19.

Report: Second line in Mid-City broken up by NOPD because of coronavirus order A second line in Mid-City was reportedly stopped by New Orleans police on Saturday as city officials enforce a stay-at-home order to prevent t…

The New Orleans Police Department also said it issued a summons to the leader of the second-line band, Clifton Smith, and could arrest more people as the investigation continues.

A video of the second line, showing a crowd that included band members walking in the streets, went viral on Facebook.

"There are numerous recorded instances that clearly depict multiple individuals irresponsibly ignoring orders from the Governor the Mayor, and myself to practice safe and responsible social distancing," NOPD Supt. Shaun Ferguson wrote in a statement.

Louisiana's high COVID-19 infection rate led to city and state officials putting in place a stay-at-home mandate last week to flatten the curve of new cases.

The coronavirus death toll in Louisiana continued to climb on Saturday, with health officials reporting 137 deaths and 3,315 cases across the state.

Saturday's spike in cases represents the biggest one-day jump in total numbers the state has had so far, likely due to the increase in testing availability. Health officials on Sunday said there were 3,540 confirmed cases and 151 deaths from COVID-19 in Louisiana.

The state's epicenter remains Orleans Parish as the community grapples with the highest case and death rates, a shortage of ventilators and hospital beds and a number of coronavirus clusters forming in metro area nursing homes.

As of Saturday, Orleans Parish rates jumped to 1,298 cases and 70 deaths.