Coronavirus in Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Health posts updated case numbers online daily (except for Saturdays) at LDH.Louisiana.gov/coronavirus.

To receive text notifications from the Governor’s Office pertaining to COVID-19, text 'LAGOV' to 67283 or click here.

To prevent the spread of infection, the Louisiana Department of Health is heavily engaged in priority public health actions. These actions include, but are not limited to:

working with healthcare facilities with presumptive patients to identify exposed healthcare workers and make appropriate recommendations; ensuring all recommended infection control precautions are implemented in the healthcare facilities until we determine that the patient is no longer infectious, notifying and monitoring close contacts; coordinating with CDC

All information on this website reflects the most current information provided to the State. It is subject to change based on further investigations, and will be updated accordingly.

About Coronavirus

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people such as has been seen with recent outbreaks of MERS and SARS.

Questions about Coronavirus?

If you have questions about coronavirus, please contact the Louisiana 211 Network by dialing dial 211. Or, you can text the keyword LAGOV to 898-211 for the most current information about the outbreak as it becomes available.

Symptoms

For confirmed infections, reported illnesses have ranged from infected people with little to no symptoms (similar to the common cold) to people being severely ill and dying. Symptoms can include:

Fever

Cough

Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing

CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure.

There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19 infection. People infected with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms.

How does novel coronavirus spread?

Health experts are still learning the details about how this new coronavirus spreads. Other coronaviruses spread from an infected person to others through:

Through respiratory droplets produced when coughing and sneezing

Close personal contact

Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes

Need to Talk?

If you are feeling overwhelmed with stress, fear and anxiety about the uncertainty surrounding this public health emergency, there is a special Keeping Calm through COVID Hotline you can call. This connects you to trained, compassionate counselors who can offer support and who can direct you to mental health and substance abuse counseling services.

Call 1-866-310-7977 24/7

Trained counselors available 24/7. All calls are confidential.

Risk to the Public

To minimize the risk of spread, Louisiana officials are advising the public to practice social distancing by not gathering with large groups of people. Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana and introduce the virus to new communities.

Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.

Information for the Public

Information from the CDC

Information on the Statewide Stay at Home Order

On April 2, Gov. Edwards extended his stay at home order until April 30. Click here to read the extended stay at home order.