Monday brought in the first day of winter. Although temperatures may be decreasing, one thing is not, and that’s the case numbers of COVID-19. As of Tuesday, the confirmed number for the state includes 266,953. The death total is at 7,158, with 1,647 patients hospitalized and 181 patients on ventilators. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the death toll is higher than the number of deaths caused by accidents, stroke and diabetes combined in Louisiana in 2017 (the most recent year for which the CDC has published data).
In addition to the state, Madison Parish has a total number of 1,192 confirmed cases and 15 confirmed deaths.
“As holidays take full swing, wearing a mask is one of the most important things we can do to protect ourselves and others; they only work if we wear them correctly,” said Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards.
The governor also gave instructions on how to wear a mask correctly: Do not touch the inside of your mask; only touch the ties and adjust the outside to fit your nose and face; make sure it covers the brim of your nose to under your chin; wash your hands before and after touching your mask.
“This holiday season, let’s show the people we love how much we care about them by acting responsibly and protecting them from COVID-19. This Christmas, let’s spread cheer, not COVID,” stated Gov. Edwards.
