Coronavirus-related deaths in Louisiana stood at record levels Wednesday as the state sees conflicting signs over whether the spread of the virus is slowing.

Officials reported 70 new deaths Wednesday, matching Tuesday's tally for the highest number of deaths reported in one day. The new figure brings the death toll to 652.

Though deaths have spiked, the rate of growth of coronavirus-related hospitalizations is slowing, Gov. John Bel Edwards said during his daily press briefing. Edwards has previously said that state health officials believe they may be beginning to flatten the curve of the virus.

"The simple fact of the matter is that the number of new hospitalizations suggests that we are trending in the right direction, but thus far the number of deaths is higher than we want it to be to have corroboration of that, so the two most essential data points are not in agreement," Edwards said.

"Overall, we think we probably are heading in a better direction with a lower trajectory and that we are starting to flatten the curve, but we can't be sure yet," Edwards said.

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The number of coronavirus patients on ventilators is also down, Edwards said.

Other hot spots around the country, including New Jersey and New York, are seeing similar patterns of increased deaths but slowing rates of new hospitalizations.

New Jersey reported 746 new cases Wednesday, a decrease from daily reports in recent days, bringing the total number of cases to 17,030.

Edwards urged state residents to continue practicing social distancing measures, warning that the virus will surge again if mitigation efforts are relaxed.

"We cannot let our guard down If we are seeing fewer cases, it is because of the efforts we are making in order to minimize contact with other people," Edwards said.