Louisiana on Tuesday reported 139 coronavirus-related deaths, the highest number of deaths recorded in the state in a single day since the pandemic began, the Louisiana Department of Health said. he tweeted. The previous record, of 129 deaths, was reported on April 14, 2020.
“Every death is a terrible loss, even more so because we know that most deaths from COVID can be prevented by safe and effective vaccines,” said Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards. he tweeted.
The state health department on Tuesday reported 3,814 new cases of the virus, and noted an increase in all age groups in the state. The highest percentage of cases was recorded among those aged 5 to 17 years.
As of Tuesday, 2,856 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Louisiana and 480 patients with ventilators. Unvaccinated people accounted for 91% of current hospitalizations for COVID. The cumulative death toll in the state COVID-19 exceeded 12,000 on Tuesday, the state health department said. he tweeted. Only 11.14% of beds in intensive care units are available statewide, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The state health department found that the virus spreads more frequently to communities, rather than gathering as residences. The highly transmissible Delta variant of the virus has also contributed to the fourth wave of Louisiana viruses.
Edwards on Monday applauded the Food and Drug Administration for its administration approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and urged eligible residents who have not yet done so to be vaccinated.
“I have a fervent hope that any Louisianan who was awaiting FDA approval for the vaccine will take steps to receive his shot immediately,” he said in a statement.
To date, 40% of Louisiana’s population is fully vaccinated, one of the lowest rates in the country.
On Aug. 2, Edwards reinstated a temporary indoor masked state warrant for vaccinated and unvaccinated residents through Sept. 1. At the time, he said, depending on the growth rate of cases, the percentage of positive cases and hospitalizations, the state was at its worst COVID-19 wave.
“We can end this nightmare,” Edwards said in a statement this month. “But we’ll all have to work together to do that.”