The peak of Louisiana’s latest coronavirus surge could be weeks away, the state’s chief health officer said yesterday, calling that a catastrophic scenario for hospitals already overrun with COVID-19 patients that are increasingly having to turn away other patients.
Dr. Joseph Kanter’s remarks to a state higher education board were the latest in a series of grim warnings from state and local health officials as infections fueled by the delta variant increase by thousands and state hospitalization numbers hit record numbers daily.
Yesterday the state hit another daily record in the number of hospitalizations, at 2,859.
The number of newly reported virus-related deaths was 93, the highest daily death count since Jan. 8.
Kanter’s remarks followed a tough press conference from authorities in St. Tammany. Health department figures show only about 35% of the population is fully vaccinated in St Tammany. Statewide, about 38% of the population is vaccinated against the coronavirus illness, but the numbers of people seeking their first shot has increased 500% over the last month according to Kanter, with nearly 45% of Louisiana’s residents starting the vaccine series.
