LABEOC Update – 28 April 2020
As of noon (12:00 PM) today, Louisiana has 27,286 diagnosed cases, 1,758 deaths and 1,666 patients hospitalized (244 requiring ventilators)associated with the outbreak. Further data is available at www.ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.
Louisiana COVID-19 response strategic imperatives: Prevent spread of the virus, surge testing capacity, and surge contact tracing capability.
Governor Edwards Extends Stay at Home Order Until May 15. Louisiana does not currently meet the White House criteria for entering Phase One of reopening. While Louisiana has seen positive, improving trends statewide in terms of new case growth and new hospitalizations, in several regions across the state, new cases and hospitalizations continue to increase or to plateau, according to data from the Louisiana Department of Health. The White House criteria calls for declining numbers of new cases and hospitalizations, among other things. Click here to view the Governor’s presentation on regional data trends.
White House Guidelines for Opening America Up Again. A three-phased approach based on the advice of public health experts. These steps will help state and local officials when reopening their economies, getting people back to work, and continuing to protect American lives. https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/
CDC Cloth Face Coverings: Questions and Answers. With face coverings being required for employees of open businesses and recommended for everyone when out in public, the CDC has published a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help guide you. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html
FEMA Terminology.
- PPE: Personal Protective Equipment. Refers to medical grade protective equipment such as N95 masks, surgical mask, surgical gowns, etc. These items are currently being dedicated to medical facilities and workers and are not suitable nor required for most workers.
- Face Covering. Should not be referred to as PPE. These are hand made or commercially available products that are suitable for most work environments and for going out into public for activities such as grocery shopping.
SEVERE WEATHER ALERT.
- North & Central Louisiana / Shreveport, Monroe. An isolated severe weather threat will exist today across the region, but a line of severe thunderstorms will move into the area region this evening from the northwest, bringing the threat for damaging winds, hail, isolated tornadoes, and heavy rainfall which may lead to localized flooding.
- South Louisiana / Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans. Increasing clouds. Expecting a line of strong to possibly severe storms pressing east across the area after 10 PM through early Wednesday morning. Overnight lows in the mid to upper 60’s. Wednesday Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly in the morning. A few storms could be severe. Highs around 80.
Resilient Louisiana Commission. For information on Commissioners and Task Force Leaders for your business sector visit: https://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/resilientlouisiana
Private Sector PPE Exchange Network. The PPE Exchange is a simple to use Dashboard to connect private sector sellers with private sector buyers. The users enter their own information and update as needed. This dashboard is not for government contracting – it is designed for B2B only. You can join the Exchange Network here: https://fema.connectsolutions.com/ppeexchange
As always THANK YOU for your TREMENDOUS 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)
