Yesterday St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper updated the community on COVID-19, especially the Delta variant and sharp uptick in cases, and encouraged vaccinations.
Cooper said we are without a doubt entering a fourth surge. He added that citizens need to take critical steps now, like vaccinations, distancing and other precautionary measures, to protect the community.
The Northshore Parishes accounted for nearly a quarter of Louisiana’s massive number of new Covid infections announced yesterday.
On Wednesday, LDH reported an 11.9% positivity rate in St. Tammany. The state also confirmed 201 new cases of COVID-19 in St. Tammany Wednesday, which is the largest amount in a single day since January 2021. St. Tammany has a 42% vaccination rate.
Almost all recent hospitalizations from COVID-19 were not vaccinated.
St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Charles Preston called the vaccine misinformation circulating online dangerous and alarming. He said he urged people to listen to their own healthcare providers and medical professionals and to get vaccinated immediately.
President Cooper reiterated that the Parish is not currently under a mask mandate, business restriction or other COVID-19 related limitations. However, there is a possibility that restrictions could return, if the health of the community continues to decline.
With the school year on the horizon, Superintendent Frank Jabbia cautioned unvaccinated students that test positive or have close contact with anyone positive will have to follow quarantine guidelines, missing class time and sporting events.
