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(The Center Square) – Louisiana will stay in “Phase 2” of the White House-approved restrictions meant to limit the spread of COVID-19, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Tuesday.
The number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations is increasing in every region of the state, officials report. The rate of COVID-19 tests coming back positive is well above 10 percent statewide; officials would prefer to see a rate below 5 percent.
Edwards said private events held over the holidays sparked the most recent coronavirus infection increase. He said federal officials believe the next four to six weeks will be the nation’s most difficult stretch since the pandemic began.
“The next several weeks are going to be incredibly tough,” he said.
Restaurants, gyms, barbers, salons, theaters and most retail businesses in Louisiana will continue to be limited to half of their normal indoor capacity. Places of worship will remain at a maximum of 75 percent of their capacity or the number of people who can physically distance with at least six feet between each immediate household.
For bars in parishes where the positivity rate (the proportion of COVID-19 tests that come back positive) is above 5 percent, barrooms are closed to indoor sales and consumption but can still serve up to 50 people outside. Indoor gatherings at event centers and sporting events are limited to 25 percent capacity, while outdoor gatherings where maintaining physical distance is not possible are limited to 25 percent capacity or up to 150 individuals.
At least 7,536 Louisiana residents with COVID-19 have died, officials reported along with 435 “probable deaths.” There were 53 new deaths reported on Tuesday.
At last count there were 2,035 COVID-19 patients in hospitals, 244 of whom were on ventilators. The number of hospitalizations exceeds the peak seen during Louisiana’s past two surges.
There have been nearly 353,000 cases of COVID-19 reported in Louisiana since the pandemic began. As of Jan. 4, officials said more than 280,000 COVID-19 of those people had recovered.
Edwards said a new variant of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 that is thought to be easier to transmit has not yet been identified in Louisiana, though it is likely safe to assume the new variant is present in the state. There is more COVID-19 in the state now than at any point during the pandemic, officials said.

ERATH – A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Gloria Duplantis Benoit, 76, will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Andre Metrejean officiating. Internment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Erath on Thursday, January 14, 2021 from 9 a.m. until the time of the services with a recitation of the rosary at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m..
A native and resident of Erath, Mrs. Benoit died at 8:40 a.m. on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at her residence. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and mother-in-law who enjoyed spending time with her family, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. Mrs. Gloria was head cook at Erath head start for over 14 years; owned and operated A&G Janitorial Service; and was a member of the Catholic Daughters.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Alvin J. Benoit of Erath; a son, Ryan Benoit and his wife Annette of Abbeville; a brother, Daly Duplantis of Erath; a son in law, David Morvant; two grandchildren, Miranda Landry an her husband Eric and Matthew Morvant; and three great grandchildren, Kyler Dupuis, Emsley Landry, and one on the way.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Galbert and Loria Menard Duplantis; a daughter, Roxane Morvant; a brother, Junius Duplantis and his wife Venola; and a sister-in-law, Setsuko Marie Duplantis.
Serving as pallbearers will be Dave Falgout, Keith Landry, Matthew Morvant, Eric Landry, Larry Benoit, and Randy Landry.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Kyler Dupuis, Ronald Vincent, Daly Duplantis, Ryan Benoit, and Cori Broussard.
The family would like to thank the Erath Police Officers and Chief Anna LaPointe for always being there to help when they were needed anytime they were needed.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
“In order to help keep the community safe we will honor the July 13, 2020 Louisiana Mandates.  All families and their guests are required to wear a face covering while at the funeral home. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.” 
David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.

Former Erath High running back Elijah Mitchell announced Sunday he will enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
If he is drafted, he would be the first Erath High gradaute to be drafted. No Erath High graduate has also played in the NFL.
The website, Walterfootball.com, has Mitchell ranked as No. 16 running back in the draft.
Mitchell is a fourth-year senior from Erath High. He made his announcement on Twitter Page and did not forget the community that raised.
“From the small town of Erath, to the bright lights of Cajun Field, the outpouring of love and support from Ragin’ Cajun fans has been nothing but elite over the past four years,” Mitchell posted on Twitter.
“The memories I have made with my teammates,” Mitchell added, “will be something I will take forward with me forever.”
A Senior Bowl invitee, Mitchell opted to turn pro rather than use the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA to all FBS players because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He previously said he would discuss the matter with family, and wrote on Twitter he decided after “much thought, prayer and consideration.”
Mitchell ran for a season-high 164 yards and two touchdowns including the game-winner in overtime during a victory in September at Georgia State, and had 127 yards and a TD on 19 carries en route to winning MVP honors in UL’s Dec. 26 First Responder Bowl win over UTSA.
The All-Sun Belt Conference pick rushed 527 times for 3,267 yards and 41 touchdowns in 42 games over four seasons, including 878 yards and eight TDs over 10 games in 2020 and a career-high 1,147 yards and 16 TDs over 14 games in 2019.

Carroll Lee F. Vincent, a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, earned his heavenly reward of eternal peace Friday, January 8, 2021. He was 89.
Carroll Lee was born October 11, 1931 in Iberia Parish to the late Elier "Mallet" Vincent and Maple LeBlanc Vincent. He was employed in the Natural Gas Industry starting out with United Gas and remained in his position through his retirement with Entex after 44 years of service. One of his passions was floral design, which led him to receiving his Louisiana floral designer's license. He worked part time with Paul's Flower Shop in New Iberia in the evening hours, often leaving from Paul's for his job at that Gas Company. He would later realize his dream and opened his own shop, Vincent Floral and Gift Shop in his home in Delcambre.
He and his family enjoyed traveling and every year they visited their favorite vacation spots of Biloxi and Galveston. His sons remember staying at the Gaido Seaside Hotel, Mr. Carroll Lee's favorite hotel. He also spent some of his time as a volunteer with his church parish of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Delcambre. He assisted in counting collections and wherever he was needed. Above all else, his family brought him the greatest joy. He will be missed dearly.
Those left to cherish his memory is his wife of 66 years, Sylvia Gerard Vincent; his three sons, Jerome Vincent (Patti), Kent Vincent (Denise) and Gerard Vincent (Rhonda); five grandchildren, Kristin Vincent, Ashlee Broussard (Brandon), Damon Vincent (Alyssa), Kramer Vincent (Lauren) and Shanna Vincent (Fiancee' Ross Walet); one great grandson, Wyatt Vincent; his sister-in-law, Jean Littleton Vincent; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Dade Anthony Vincent and Edwin Joseph Vincent; and his sister-in-law, Tweet Guilbeaux Vincent.
A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating his life will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, January 13 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Fr. Thomas Voorhies, a dear friend of Mr. Carroll Lee, will be the celebrant with Fr. Buddy Breaux as con-celebrant. Following the Mass, Mr. Vincent will be laid to rest in the church mausoleum.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Evangeline Funeral Home on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., with the Rosary at 11:00 am.
Serving as pallbearers are Damon, Kramer, Eddie and Brandon Broussard, Carl Viator and Jody Guilbeaux. Honorary pallbearers are Drayton Vincent, Ken LeBlanc, Tony Vincent and Ross Walet.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Maison du Monde Living Center in Abbeville, New Iberia Manor South and the Staff of Grace Hospice, especially Krista, for the exceptional care and compassion shown to Carroll Lee during their care. You are all greatly appreciated.
Relatives and friends are encouraged to share their memories and condolences with the family by visiting Mr. Vincent's memorial page at www.evangelinefuneralhome.com
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.