LABEOC Update – 21 April 2020
As of noon (12:00 PM) today, Louisiana has 24,894 diagnosed cases, 1,405 deaths and 1,798 patients hospitalized (297 requiring ventilators) associated with the outbreak. Further data is available at www.ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.
Louisiana COVID-19 response strategic imperatives (UPDATED): Prevent spread of the virus, surge testing capacity, and surge contact tracing capability.
Gov. John Bel Edwards is lifting many restrictions on nonemergency medical procedures beginning April 27, the first rollback of his stay-at-home order since the coronavirus crisis began.
USDA plans to provide $16 billion in assistance for losses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program in order to provide relief to farmers, ranchers, and consumers. In the program, the USDA plans to provide $16 billion in assistance for losses sustained by agricultural producers.
Severe Weather Outlook – Central and SE/SW Louisiana. This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Louisiana, southcentral Louisiana, southwest Louisiana, west central Louisiana and southeast Texas. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected to affect the area from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. There is a risk that some of the thunderstorms will become severe, with all modes of severe weather possible. The Storm Prediction Center has outlined areas generally north of I-10 in a slight risk for severe thunderstorms, with locations south of I-10 to the coast in a marginal risk. Thunderstorms will also be capable of locally heavy rainfall, which could result in localized minor flooding. Another cold front will move through the area late Friday accompanied by isolated showers and thunderstorms. Severe weather is not expected with this system.
Severe Weather Outlook – Northern Louisiana.Another round of severe weather looks increasingly likely on Wednesday through Wednesday night as a strong upper level storm system will arrive and help shift a cold front across the region. This will result in numerous showers and thunderstorms, some of which will likely be severe with all threats possible. Large hail looks to be the primary threat, with damaging winds and isolated tornadoes being secondary threats. Flash flooding will also be among the threats, with 1-3 inches of rainfall possible through Thursday morning. https://www.weather.gov/shv/
Hurricane Season Planning. Governor Edwards said the state is altering its hurricane planning to adjust to the likelihood the state will be going through hurricane season while still fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The state will be changing its resource posturing as well as increasing its medical personnel at shelters and requiring more PPE. Virtual exercises are being planned for May.
2020 Hurricane Season. The 2020 Hurricane season starts on 1 June and ends on 30 November. Researchers at Colorado State University and North Carolina State University both predict an above average season estimating 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 Cat 3+ storms. Check out https://www.getagameplan.org to begin preparing yourself now.
FBI Cyber Threat Warnings. The FBI released two cyber threat warnings today (attached). One focuses on the targeting of U.S. medical facilities and the other is online extortion of U.S. citizens.
OPEN BID. Various medical supplies. Quotes are due by 4:00 PM CST on 4/22/2020. Search for LDH-RFQ-09 on https://wwwcfprd.doa.louisiana.gov/osp/lapac/srchopen.cfm?deptno=all&catno=all&dateStart=04%2F20%2F2020&dateEnd=&compareDate=O&keywords=&keywordsCheck=all
Thank you again for your support of Louisiana.
Chris J. DeGuelle
LABEOC Director
The LA BEOC is designed and developed by the NIMSAT Institute under the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP)
