Governor Edwards asks for federal aid amid coronavirus

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a major disaster declaration for the state of Louisiana as the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus continues to climb. He’s asked for federal aid during this time of need and hopes this will help with the overflow of patients being admitted to local hospitals.Orleans and Jefferson Parish make up around 70% of cases in the state.

According to Dr. Rebekah Gee, CEO of Louisiana State University Healthcare Services and former state health secretary, New Orleans is set to become and epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We now think, in large part, Mardi Gras happened when this virus was circulating and 1.4 million people came to our city. Many people came from all over Louisiana to New Orleans and not only caught beads but they also caught COVID-19,” says Gee.

Dr. Gee says Louisiana needs to be a higher priority when it comes to federal aid.

“I know we’re asking for addition personnel, additional equipment, and we’ll need to set up additional hospital capacity throughout the state, and that declaration will allow for that.

Governor Edwards warns we are running out of time to get help.

“The number of cases in Louisiana continues to rise more drastically than we would like,” says Edwards.

Edwards says that now, being a good neighbor means stay apart, donating blood, and giving to your local food bank.