On Tuesday, August 18, Governor Edwards announced that the
Louisiana coronavirus positivity rate has fallen below 10 percent, but on
Thursday, it rose back to 14 percent. While the initial dip was encouraging,
the spike in positivity is alarming, as the state aims for a positivity rate
below 10 percent. The governor underlined the gravity of the situation by noting
that Louisiana once agaiin has the highest number of cases per capita in the
country. According to WDSU News, the state tested over 500,000 people in July.
Edwards also announced that
Louisiana has begun the process of receiving federal aid to increase
unemployment by an additional $300 per week. While we don't yet know when that
funding will become available, WDSU News reports that Edwards claims "federal
unemployment payments will be retroactive to Aug. 1." However, the governor has
also announced the shutdown of Louisiana's Rental Assistance Program, which was
overwhelmed when more than 40,000 people applied. The $24 million in funding
will be able to assist up to 7,500 applicants.
For at
least 21 days after August 18, the statewide mask mandate will remain in place while
we stay in Phase Two. All indoor gatherings and any outdoor gatherings where
attendees cannot remain at least six feet apart are capped at 50 people.
