COVID-19 pandemic in Louisiana
The first presumptive case relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in Louisiana was announced on March 9, 2020. Since the first confirmed case, the outbreak grew particularly fast relative to other states and countries. As of September 29, 2022, there have been 1,454,828 cumulative COVID-19 cases and 18,058 deaths.[1] Confirmed cases have appeared in all 64 parishes, though the New Orleans metro area alone has seen the majority of positive tests and deaths.[1] Governor John Bel Edwards closed schools statewide on March 16, 2020, restricted most businesses to takeout and delivery only, postponed presidential primaries, and placed limitations on large gatherings.[2][3] On March 23, Edwards enacted a statewide stay-at-home order to encourage social distancing, and President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration, the fourth state to receive one.[2][4]
COVID-19 pandemic in Louisiana
Louisiana, U.S.
9 March 2020
(4 years, 1 month, 1 week and 3 days)
696,900 (September 3, 2021)
1,527 (July 20)
186 (July 20)
53,288 (July 20)
3,498 (confirmed)
110 (probable)
The rapid spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana likely originated in late February 2020 when the virus was introduced into the state via domestic travel, originating from a single source.[5] The virus was already present in New Orleans before Mardi Gras; however, it is likely that the festival accelerated the spread.[5]
Numerous "clusters" of confirmed cases have appeared at nursing homes across southern Louisiana, including an outbreak at Lambeth House in New Orleans that has infected over fifty and killed thirteen elderly residents as of March 30.[6][7] As the state has increased its capacity for testing, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette study estimated the growth rate in Louisiana was among the highest in the world, prompting serious concerns about the state's healthcare capacity to care for sick patients.[8] On March 24, only 29% of ICU beds were vacant statewide, and Edwards announced coronavirus patients would likely overwhelm hospitals in New Orleans by April 4.[9]
As of May 28, 2021, Louisiana has administered 3,058,019 COVID-19 vaccine doses, and has fully vaccinated 1,337,323 people, equivalent to 28.67 percent of the population.[10] As of November 19, 2021, the number of doses administered has reached 5,096,864, and the number of fully vaccinated individuals is 2,253,496, representing 48.31 percent of the population.[11]
Impact[edit]
Economic[edit]
On August 19, it was reported that the total number of jobs in Louisiana dropped by 11% in the first half of 2020 due to COVID-19. This number is nearly double the number of jobs lost in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.[117]
Starting in September, Louisiana's seafood industry, which has been hard hit due to pandemic restrictions on restaurant capacity could apply for assistance through the CARES Act.[118]
As a part of the CARES Act, Governor Edwards announced that Louisiana would receive a $2.4 million federal grant to stimulate business recovery. The bulk of these funds will be used to support "COVID-19 recovery projects."[119]
On November 17, 2020, Mayor Cantrell announced that parades would be prohibited during Mardi Gras in New Orleans in order to prevent large gatherings.[120] Furthermore, Cantrell restricted the sale of alcohol at restaurants and ordered the closure of all bars from February 12 through February 16.[121][122] The city was expected to lose out on around $1 billion in revenue tied to Mardi Gras and associated tourism.[120]
Due to Delta variant, a number of major New Orleans events, including White Linen Night, Red Dress Run, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (which had postponed itself to October to increase the likelihood that it could be held), announced in August 2021 that they would again be cancelled out of an abundance of caution. The Voodoo Experience music festival was also cancelled for a second year in June 2021, with no specific reason given (although NOLA.com suggested that it had been cancelled out of respect for festivals that had been postponed to October).[123][124] The cancellation of Jazzfest in particular was considered a blow to New Orleans' hospitality industry, which had anticipated tourism to recover.[125]