Tagged News

• CDC updates guidelines for Pfizer booster shots

  January 4, 2022 9:43 AM

  As of Tuesday, January 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is updating its recommendation for when many people can receive a booster shot, shortening the interval from 6 months to 5 months for people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. This means people can now receive... more »

• Too early to say whether Omicron surge will impact Baton Rouge Mardi Gras, mayor says Play Video

  January 4, 2022 9:16 AM

  BATON ROUGE - It's too soon to tell whether the statewide surge in Omicron cases will upend Mardi Gras plans in East Baton Rouge, parish officials said during a news conference Tuesday. Though the city-parish won't commit to a decision on whether the festivities will return, Mayor Sharon Weston... more »

• State-by-state COVID statistics in the U.S. Play Video

  January 3, 2022 4:51 AM

  According to data from Johns Hopkins University , since last January, at least 826,061 people have lost their lives as a result of COVID and approximately 55.1 million in the United States have been infected. In reporting these recent numbers, CNN also provided a state-by-state view of case statistics... more »

• Southern University delays start of spring semester due to La's rising number of COVID cases

  December 31, 2021 12:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE– With COVID cases on the rise due to the emergence of the Omicron variant, a number of local institutions are modifying procedures in hopes of protecting their communities. In this regard, Southern University and A&M College announced Friday morning that it will delay the start of its... more »

• Access to COVID testing reportedly strained amid holiday season demand

  December 22, 2021 5:23 AM

  With the approach of Christmas, New Years, and the increase in COVID cases, a large number of U.S. citizens who look forward to spending time with loved ones under safe conditions are seeking COVID tests. FRIDAY: Fire stations in Baton Rouge have a limited supply of at-home COIVD tests... more »

• Our Lady of the Lake reinstates COVID mitigation protocol amid increase in Omicron cases

  December 21, 2021 9:20 AM

  BATON ROUGE - In view of the increase in Omicron virus cases, Lady of the Lake Hospital has revisited its implementation of COVID-related mitigation measures. According to a Tuesday (December 21) morning news release, OLOL says it is reinstating the following protocol effective immediately: -Masks will be required... more »

• Louisiana reports 124 Omicron cases, 14 in Baton Rouge area

  December 17, 2021 4:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Health reported 31 additional cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 Friday afternoon. Since Louisiana's first known Omicron case on Dec. 3, the state's total number has increased to 124. Most cases of the variant were identified in the Greater New Orleans... more »

• Dow tumbles more than 300 points Friday morning

  December 17, 2021 11:48 AM

  Stocks are falling Friday morning as concerns about the omicron variant and worries about tighter monetary policy increase ahead of the holidays. CNN reports that the Dow fell more than 600 points Friday morning before recovering some of its lost ground. By late morning, the Dow was down... more »

• Dept of Health reports 48 additional Omicron variant cases in Louisiana

  December 16, 2021 6:51 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) issued a Wednesday afternoon report announcing 48 additional cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. LDH adds that none of the new cases required hospitalization. This brings the total number of Omicron cases in the state to 93. ... more »

• CDC Director discusses how pandemic may end

  December 11, 2021 5:52 PM

  Health experts are hoping to shore up a pandemic-fatigued public as the COVID-19 health crisis continues to pose a threat during the final months of 2021. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recently shared with ABC News what she believes the U.S. will... more »

• CDC investigates new Delta-related coronavirus variant, AY.4.2

  October 21, 2021 6:42 AM

  A subtype of the Delta variant, called AY.4.2, is causing an increasing number of infection cases in the United Kingdom. AY.4.2 is still "very rare" in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "It is well below 0.05 percent of all our sequenced... more »

• Shot for 100 Campaign expands to anyone in Louisiana who gets COVID vaccine

  October 1, 2021 11:14 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana’s Shot For 100 vaccine incentive program on Friday expanded beyond college students to include anyone in Louisiana who gets their COVID vaccine. Patients must receive the vaccine at participating community-based sites as listed on ShotFor100.com. Anyone receiving their first shot is eligible and may... more »

• Justice Brett Kavanaugh tests positive for COVID-19

  October 1, 2021 9:12 AM

  The Supreme Court said Friday Justice Brett Kavanaugh tested positive for COVID-19. Kavanaugh is reportedly fully vaccinated and is not experiencing any of the symptoms that are typically associated with the virus. He tested positive Thursday night, the court said in a statement, and his immediate family tested... more »

• Our Lady of the Lake announces changes to local COVID community testing sites

  September 25, 2021 6:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Our Lady of the Lake has been operating several COVID-19 testing sites in the Baton Rouge area, and on Monday (September 27) two of those sites will close. OLOL announced Saturday that the sites scheduled to close are on Essen Lane and Constantin Boulevard in Baton... more »

• Louisiana adds new sites for monoclonal antibody treatments

  September 24, 2021 9:54 AM

  BATON ROUGE - In response to an increase in demand for monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 patients, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is adding new sites for mAb treatment in urban and rural areas of the state. Over the next several weeks, up to 18 new sites will... more »

• Pfizer's COVID booster shots can begin for some U.S. adults, CDC says

  September 24, 2021 7:09 AM

  After days of extensive debates among vaccine experts, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially confirms that booster shots of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine can be administered to some of the nation's adults. Early Friday morning, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky recommended boosters for people ages... more »

• Port Barre Police Chief diagnosed with COVID-19

  September 21, 2021 7:59 AM

  PORT BARRE- The Chief of Police in the St. Landry Parish town of Port Barre Police announced Monday that he has COVID-19. Chief Deon Boudreaux took to Facebook to say he tested positive for the virus after seeing symptoms Sunday night. He added that his youngest child is... more »

• COVID hospitalizations fall below 1,900 in Louisiana; statewide death toll nears 13K

  September 9, 2021 2:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Hospitalizations tied to the coronavirus in Louisiana have dropped to their lowest point since July, months after the state first started seeing its fourth surge in cases. The state reported Thursday that 1,825 people were hospitalized with the virus statewide, down from a state record 3,022... more »

• President Biden to announce that all federal workers must be vaccinated

  September 9, 2021 10:19 AM

  As the war against COVID-19 continues in the U.S., President Joe Biden is reportedly adding to the country's arsenal of virus-fighting regulations. The president is expected to use Thursday to announce expanded vaccine rules for federal workers, and encourage private businesses to take steps to intensify their vaccine-related requirements,... more »

• More than 4 million COVID cases in the U.S. in the last 4 weeks, statistics reveal

  September 7, 2021 10:49 AM

  With Labor Day come and gone, U.S. health experts have tallied the nation's number of COVID cases and, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, more than 4 million virus cases have been reported in the last four weeks alone. According to CNN , COVID cases have generally... more »

• Moderna completes submission to FDA for full approval of COVID vaccine

  August 25, 2021 1:13 PM

  On the heels of Pfizer's COVID vaccine receiving full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Monday, rival pharmaceutical company Moderna announced Wednesday that it has completed its submission to the FDA for full approval of its own vaccine. According to CNN , the drugmaker said it... more »

• Fighting RSV amid the COVID-19 health crisis

  August 25, 2021 9:21 AM

  JACKSON, Mississippi - Last month, medical professionals at Children's of Mississippi reported an alarming increase in cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), according to ABC 16 . While simultaneously fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers found themselves attending to a number of RSV cases, and many involved pediatric patients.... more »

• Fauci says if more people are vaccinated, U.S. can start spring of 2022 with COVID-19 'under control'

  August 24, 2021 1:04 PM

  Dr. Anthony Fauci director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the President's chief medical adviser says that if enough people are vaccinated against COVID-19, then the pandemic might be "under control" by Spring of 2022. Facui made the comment during a Monday interview with CNN's... more »

• Traveling? Check out this list of new restrictions, reopenings before planning your itinerary

  August 21, 2021 5:47 PM

  With leading health experts urging individuals to take extra precautions so as not to spread COVID-19, nearly every sector of the world's industries are adjusting the rules that guide their daily activities. Included among these is the travel industry. Airlines continue to implement a host of new COVID-related procedures.... more »

• Events shifting on the calendar again after already being rescheduled due to COVID surge Play Video

  August 20, 2021 9:17 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Concerns related to the spread of COVID-19 have paused a slew of plans during 2021. At the start of the year, when federal officials began distributing virus-fighting vaccines to states across the U.S., a number of folks couldn't help but hope to see certain aspects of... more »

• Mississippi eighth grader dies a day after positive coronavirus test

  August 18, 2021 5:35 AM

  SMITH COUNTY, Mississippi - A school official in Mississippi confirmed that a teenager passed away over the weekend, only one day after testing positive for COVID, CNN reports. The news outlet says she was an outstanding eighth-grader at Raleigh High School, where she was an honor student and member... more »

• Louisiana: More than 3k now hospitalized with COVID, 122 deaths reported in a single day

  August 17, 2021 1:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - More than 3,000 people are now hospitalized with the coronavirus in Louisiana as of Tuesday, the first time the state has reported that many hospitalizations since the onset of the pandemic. The Louisiana Department of Health says 3,012 patients are in hospitals with COVID. As of... more »

• Psychologists suggest a more informative approach to addressing vaccine hesitancy

  August 13, 2021 10:16 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Approximately 1,771,279 people in Louisiana are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which is about 37 percent of the state's population. While this indicates progress in the fight to ward off the deadly effects of COVID-19, health officials say Louisiana still has a long way to go. ... more »

• California will require teachers to be vaccinated or submit to regular testing

  August 11, 2021 11:46 AM

  SACRAMENTO, California - Teachers in California will soon be required to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to regular testing, according to CNN . Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to officially make this announcement Wednesday, according to the news outlet. Newsom's new mandate will make California the... more »

• More restrictions possible if Louisiana doesn't see drop-off in COVID cases, health officials say

  August 10, 2021 12:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's chief health officer warned that stricter COVID mitigation measures could be on the way if the state doesn't stem its latest surge in the coming weeks. Dr. Joseph Kanter made the comments to the Louisiana Board of Regents during a special meeting Tuesday morning where... more »

• France, Iceland among countries added to CDC's updated COVID 'travel risk' list

  August 10, 2021 7:51 AM

  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday updated its guidance on which countries pose the highest COVID risk to travelers. While the CDC recommends being fully vaccinated before embarking on international travel, it suggests totally avoiding places that are labeled as, "Level 4: COVID-19 very... more »

• More U.S. restaurants, businesses requiring proof of vaccination

  August 6, 2021 1:46 PM

  Businesses and restaurants in some of the U.S.'s busiest cities are requiring patrons to provide proof of COVID vaccination before entering. Cities like Philadelphia, Seattle, and Atlanta are seeing a trend in certain businesses and restaurants exercising their legal right to require that everyone who enters the premises be... more »

• Report: Indications of a strong labor market emerge as unemployment rate falls to 5.4%

  August 6, 2021 9:55 AM

  Experts say the U.S. workforce is undergoing a gradual rebuilding process amid challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This was emphasized in job growth data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Friday. The new statistics revealed that the economy added 943,000 jobs in July and the unemployment... more »

• Zachary Police Department closed to public until further notice

  August 6, 2021 9:30 AM

  ZACHARY - As south Louisiana battles an increasing number of COVID cases, officials in one community are taking the extra precaution of closing the local police department. The Zachary Police Department announced Friday, via its Facebook page , that its Administrative offices are closed until further notice. According... more »

• Moderna says its COVID vaccine provides 93% effectiveness for six months

  August 5, 2021 8:37 AM

  On the heels of Pfizer's announcement that its vaccine will soon receive full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pharmaceutical company Moderna is informing the public that new studies show its COVID-19 vaccines are 93% effective for six months after a person receives a second dose. The... more »

• Unvaccinated LSU students must take monthly COVID tests this semester, university says Play Video

  August 4, 2021 11:42 AM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU says students who didn't get the COVID-19 vaccine must take a test each month showing they're not infected. On Wednesday, the university revealed its updated safety protocols for the fall semester, which included mandatory testing for unvaccinated students. The school says it will also continue... more »

• Barack and Michelle Obama cancel former president's elaborate birthday bash

  August 4, 2021 11:02 AM

  MARTHA'S VINEYARD, Massachusetts - A former president's birthday bash that's been in the works for months and would have included some of the world's most well-known faces has been cancelled at the last minute. According to TMZ , Barack and Michelle Obama had been planning on welcoming nearly 500... more »

• Mask mandate returns as Louisiana battles spike in COVID cases

  August 4, 2021 10:09 AM

  BATON ROUGE - As of Wednesday, the state of Louisiana is under a reinstated mask mandate until the first of September. The order, issued by Governor John Bel Edwards, requires that both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals age five and older wear a face mask that properly covers their mouth... more »

• Pfizer appears on track to become first fully-approved COVID vaccine

  August 4, 2021 9:28 AM

  The United States may have its first fully-approved vaccination against COVID-19 before Labor Day. Last month, Pfizer-BioNTech announced the U.S. government is likely to complete the approval process by the start of next month and grant full approval of their vaccine as a way of boosting the public's confidence... more »

• Another governor's office employee tests positive for COVID, unrelated to previous cases

  August 2, 2021 2:59 PM

  UPDATE: The governor's office announced another staffer tested positive for COVID on Thursday. This is the sixth case since July 30. The governor said the employee was vaccinated, and this case is unrelated to the previous cases in the office. This is a breaking update. Please read the... more »

• OLOL welcomes Disaster Medical Assistance Team to help with COVID surge Play Video

  August 2, 2021 10:02 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A number of Louisiana hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of the dozens of virus patients who've been checking in during the most recent resurgence of COVID-19. But healthcare workers at Our Lady of the Lake (OLOL) in Baton Rouge are now hoping they'll be... more »

• At least one COVID patient checked in every hour at Baton Rouge hospital Play Video

  August 2, 2021 7:51 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge is one of 45 Louisiana hospitals requesting extra staff during the recent resurgence in COVID-19 cases. Healthcare workers across the state are being stretched thin as large numbers of COVID-19 patients request care for symptoms. On... more »

• Man from New Orleans, teen from Lafayette win big in weekly 'Shot At a Million' campaign

  July 30, 2021 1:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE — One man from New Orleans is $100,000 wealthier thanks to getting a COVID vaccination and a teenager from Lafayette is paving his way to the future with a bright and shiny $100,000 scholarship, all because he chose to get the vaccine. Stephen Curry, a 57-year-old man... more »

• OLOL Children's Hospital reports pandemic-high number of COVID hospitalizations Play Video

  July 29, 2021 3:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Nearly a dozen children are being treated for the coronavirus at Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital, more than half of whom are in intensive care at the medical center. On Thursday, the hospital said 11 children were being treated there for the virus. Of... more »

• White House official visits Louisiana to encourage more vaccinations amid COVID resurgence Play Video

  July 29, 2021 10:57 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Since Louisiana began administering COVID-19 vaccine doses and moved into a cautious reopening process, state leaders and citizens alike have been faced with a challenging balancing act of resuming everyday activities while taking steps to mitigate the spread of novel coronavirus. The question of how to... more »

• La. reports more than 7,500 COVID cases over the weekend, increase in vaccines

  July 26, 2021 1:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana reported a significant jump in vaccines administered as coronavirus cases continued to surge over the weekend. The state reported 7,592 new cases Monday, with a positivity rate of about 13.71 percent. Hospitalizations also jumped to 1,221, up from 1,008 on Friday. Hospitals across the... more »

• Major medical groups urge U.S. officials to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for health care workers

  July 26, 2021 9:35 AM

  A number of leading medical groups have united to issue a joint statement urging U.S. officials to require that all health care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19, CNN reports. More than 50 health care groups, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College... more »

• More Americans are being vaccinated; CDC reports significant 24-hour period increase Play Video

  July 26, 2021 6:55 AM

  According to a White House official, an increasing number of people in the United States are being vaccinated. Ronald Klain, the White House Chief of Staff announced Sunday, via his Twitter account , that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a significant jump in the number of... more »

• Rapid spread of delta variant forces Livingston Parish to close government offices Play Video

  July 22, 2021 9:19 AM

  LIVINGSTON PARISH - Just as the state settles back in to pre-pandemic life, COVID strikes back with a rapid rise in cases. The delta variant is quickly spreading into communities and affecting families and businesses alike. The outbreak forced Livingston Parish to shut down its government offices Thursday. ... more »

• Louisiana reports more than 5k new COVID cases Wednesday Play Video

  July 21, 2021 1:03 PM

  BATON ROUGE - On Wednesday, Louisiana reported one of the largest single-day increases in new coronavirus cases since the onset of the pandemic. A total of 5,388 new cases were reported in the Louisiana Department of Health's newest daily update. The positivity rate on those tests was around 16.35... more »

• Amid surge in COVID cases, Woman's Hospital updates visitation policy

  July 19, 2021 10:26 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Woman's Hospital announced Monday that due to a recent increase in COVID cases throughout Baton Rouge, the hospital is updating its visitation policy to protect the safety of patients and staff. Other hospitals in south Louisiana have made similar changes to their policies. Click here for... more »

• Eiffel Tower reopens with restrictions after nine-month closure

  July 16, 2021 11:02 AM

  PARIS, France- As COVID-19 continues to impact the global community, some regions are implementing new virus-related guidelines while others are choosing to expand their reopening processes. In France, where a total of 5.83 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported, the city of Paris is celebrating the reopening of... more »

• CDC: Delta becomes dominant coronavirus variant in US

  July 7, 2021 9:23 AM

  The delta variant of the novel coronavirus, also known as B.1.617.2, has become the dominant strain in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ABC News reports. Data updated by the CDC on Tuesday evening revealed that this highly contagious variant was estimated to... more »

• Louisiana hospitals grappling with nurse shortage Play Video

  June 30, 2021 6:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a new spotlight on the need for more nurses. Demand has grown in nearly every state, and it's no different in Baton Rouge. Monica Nijoka is the Chief Nursing Officer at Baton Rouge General. She says nursing isn't just a job,... more »

• How China's power shortage impacts the global community

  June 30, 2021 10:03 AM

  GUANGZHOU, China - In a world still recovering from the reverberating effects of the COVID-19 health crisis, one of the international community's wealthiest nations is struggling through a power shortage that may impact the global economy. China's struggles are causing problems for its international partners, according to a recent... more »

• Superdome to require masks or proof of vaccination during 100 percent capacity events

  June 25, 2021 4:57 AM

  NEW ORLEANS — Across the state, masks appear to be coming off as the number of those who've been fully vaccinated continues to rise, but in one major Crescent City venue, masks will continue to be a requirement. According to WWL.com , officials with the New Orleans' Mercedes-Benz Superdome... more »

• American Airlines cancels hundreds of flights amid labor shortages

  June 21, 2021 9:06 AM

  American Airlines is canceling hundreds of flights amid the company's struggle to maintain service as a massive amount of COVID-weary customers book flights and a labor shortage causes significant issues for the airline, CNN reports. The cancellations are expected to continue through at least mid-July. Shannon Gilson, a... more »

• New Orleans airport to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to travelers

  June 17, 2021 6:07 AM

  KENNER - As of Thursday, travelers passing through the Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) in Jefferson Parish will have access to COVID-19 vaccinations, according to a Wednesday news release from Ochsner Health. The news release stated that the medical facility is teaming up with the airport to offer vaccinations... more »

• Royal Caribbean postpones inaugural ship sailing after multiple crew members test positive for COVID

  June 16, 2021 8:39 AM

  Royal Caribbean is officially delaying the inaugural sailing of its cruise ship Odyssey of the Seas due to eight vaccinated crew members testing positive for COVID-19, according to CNN . The positive test results were discovered during routine testing, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley said in a... more »