By Baptist Message staff
BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Gov. John Bel Edwards has recommended Louisianans once again wear masks indoors in the fight against a fourth surge of COVID-19.
Edwards, during a news conference Friday, July 23, said hospitalizations and new cases of coronavirus are on the rise, and that the state now has the highest growth rate of cases per capita in the nation.
The Louisiana Department of Health reported on July 22, 3,127 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the overall statewide total to 512,843 cases. The department said 1,008 COVID patients were in the hospital, including 82 on ventilators.
The Louisiana Department of Health is suggesting – not mandating – that people wear their masks indoors when at least six feet of distancing is not physically possible and to stay out of crowds. Department officials also ask that everyone who had been exposed to COVID through colleagues, family members and others get tested, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not.
Under the proclamation, those entering buildings operating under Edwards’ executive branch must wear masks indoors, effective Monday, July 26.
“Right now, Louisiana has the best tool it has ever had to fight this surge: the COVID-19 vaccines,” Edwards said. “Incouragingly, our weekly vaccination rate has bumped up which I believe means everyone knows how urgent the situation is. We need even more people in our state to go sleeves up and take the COVID-19 vaccine. Increased vaccinations, when coupled with more masking, testing and distance, can get us out of the fourth surge, but only if people take action quickly.”
