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Marcelo Davis fills up boxes with food and hands them to the residents outside of the Christian Service Center.

Christian Service Center in Abbeville still serving food

Wed, 03/25/2020 - 3:50pm

There is good news coming out of the Christian Service Center in Abbeville.
The Christian Service Center at 701 Chevis Street, is serving bagged meals and providing food from its pantry.
Next week, the Christian Service Center will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. until noon.
The pantry will be open again Friday from 9 a.m. until noon.
The Christian Service Center served bagged meals with sandwiches on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Even with all of the recent parish layoffs this week, the amount served has remained about the same.
“We have not seen an increase in the number of people who have come for meals or visited the pantry this week,” said Christian Service Center Director Marcelo Davis.
Marcelo Davis said what has helped the Christian Service Center keep up with the bagged meals demand is having the Vermilion Parish School Board serve meals to children each day.
Davis said because of the Corvid 19 virus, changes had to be made on how residents get their food from the pantry.
Workers at the Christian Service Center make “to-go” boxes filled with the same items, and residents can pick up these boxes outside of the Christian Service Center.
They can do this once a month, said Davis.
Thus far, Davis said Super One, Walmart and Second Harvest Food Bank are supplying enough food to the Christian Service Center.

Vermilion Parish and Cameron Parish are still in white because there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases. The darker red shows where most of the virus is located. (Courtesy of KLFY)

Vermilion, Cameron parishes have no confirmed COVID-19 cases -- yet

Wed, 03/25/2020 - 3:43pm

As of Wednesday afternoon, Vermilion Parish and Cameron Parish are the two southern parishes in Louisiana that have no confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Each day at noon, the Louisiana Department of Health updates its website on the number of COVID-19 cases in the state and in each parish.
Becky Broussard, the director of Vermilion Parish’s Office of Emergency Preparedness, has no solid explanation as to why Cameron and Vermilion do not have any cases.
“I just hope it stays that way until April 13,” said Broussard
As of Wednesday, 1,795 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed. There have been 65 deaths statewide. The DHH reports 48 of the state’s 64 parishes have confirmed cases.
Orleans and Jefferson parishes combine for 1,186 cases and 44 deaths.
Lafayette Parish is beginning to see its cases increase.
On Wednesday, Lafayette had 20 cases and no deaths.
St. Mary Parish has five cases, while St. Landry has four cases.
Iberia Parish and Acadia Parish each have two cases and no deaths.

Vermilion Parish Schools System adds FIEB as grab-and-go meal’ site

Wed, 03/25/2020 - 3:20pm

Beginning Thursday, March 26, 2020, the Vermilion Parish School Board will be offering grab-and-go meals at an additional site, Forked Island/E. Broussard Elementary, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays.
Each child will receive a lunch meal and a breakfast meal for the next morning. There is no registration required. No identification is needed. There is no cost to receive the meals. Any child age 18 and under may come to get the meals. This does include students, siblings, friends, family members, toddlers, and those who attend private or parochial schools. The child must be present to receive the meal, no exceptions.
Meals will be provided with drive-thru service. Walk-up service should only be used if the child/children have no other way to get to the school sites. The meals will be brought to the cars and/or students, please remain in the car.
The sites open for service meal service are:
• Cecil Picard Elementary
• Dozier Elementary
• Eaton Park Elementary
• Gueydan High
• J. H. Williams Middle
• Rene Rost Middle
• Forked Island/E. Broussard Elementary (beginning Thursday, March 26, 2020)
All VPSB students with special diet prescriptions on file, please call the Meal Service Hotline at 898-5702.

UL Lafayette confirms COVID-19 case

Wed, 03/25/2020 - 1:45pm

LAFAYETTE — The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has confirmed that one of its students has tested positive for COVID-19.
In a statement emailed Wednesday to students, faculty and staff members, Dr. Joseph Savoie, University president, said the student does not live on campus, nor were they a student resident this semester. The student did not exhibit symptoms while on campus, which current understanding suggests reduces the likelihood of transmission.
Public health officials have been in touch with students, staff members and faculty who may have had direct contact with the student. Those individuals are being asked to follow guidance from the CDC and state health agencies, which is to self-isolate, monitor their own health for the next 14 days, and seek medical attention should they develop symptoms.

Dr. Savoie's full statement follows:

Dear students, faculty and staff members,
Today, we learned that one of our students has tested positive for COVID-19. This is the University’s first confirmed case of the virus.
Let me begin by asking all of you to join me in offering thoughts and best wishes to the affected student as they recover.
This student does not live on campus, nor were they a student resident this semester. The student did not exhibit symptoms while on campus, which current understanding suggests reduces the likelihood of transmission.
Public health officials have been in touch with students, staff members and faculty who may have had direct contact with the student.
Those individuals are being asked to follow guidance from the CDC and state health agencies, which is to self-isolate, monitor their own health for the next 14 days, and seek medical attention should they develop symptoms.
In line with University policy and guidance from the Louisiana Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the student is self-isolating with family at home.
I know this announcement will heighten concern in an already anxious time. But I can assure you that over the past several weeks, the University has been preparing for the possibility that its community would be directly affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
We will continue to keep all of you informed through updates on the University’s dedicated COVID-19 website, via email and across official social media platforms.
On Sunday, Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a statewide order that requires residents to stay in their homes except when going out for essentials. I want to urge you to take this order seriously.

If you must go out, and even while you are staying in, continue to practice good hygiene methods recommended by the CDC and local health agencies. You should:
avoid people who are sick.
distance yourself from others by at least 6 feet and avoid clusters of people.
cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
By taking these responsible steps, you are helping curb the spread of COVID-19 – and showing that you care. You’re protecting yourselves, your friends, your loved ones and your community.

The Delcambre/Erath rural clinic will be the location where testing will be taking place.

COVID-19 testing will begin in Vermilion Parish on Thursday

Wed, 03/25/2020 - 12:57pm

Abbeville General Clinic in Erath will begin testing Thursday morning

Abbeville General will open the first testing site for COVID-19 in Vermilion Parish on Thursday from 10:00 AM until noon at Erath/Delcambre Community Care Clinic (220 North Rd. Erath). The complete process should take about 30 minutes.

This testing site will be open daily until further notice.
Only high risk people will be screened, as determined by questions asked by nurses and providers.
Persons not meeting criteria will be asked to exit the line.
Stay in your vehicle for safety.
Have your ID and insurance card (if available)
No bathrooms are available to public.
Maximum 2 people per vehicle can be screened.
Please leave all pets at home.
Call Screening Line before arriving at test site to see if you meet criteria for testing. Phone number to be announced.

Louisiana Department of Health COVID-19 Updates for March 25

Wed, 03/25/2020 - 12:52pm

BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Health has updated its website to reflect the latest number of positives and will continue to update its website at noon each day.

Case count
As of noon on March 25, the Department reported 407 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 1,795.

Hospitalization
Yesterday, 271 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized. Of those, 94 patients required ventilation.
Currently, 491 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized. Of those, 163 patients require ventilation.

Nursing homes
The Department of Health has identified COVID-19 clusters in six nursing homes in the state. A cluster is identified as two or more cases that appear to be connected. With the involvement of hospitals and multiple providers and the growth in cases of nursing home residents, the Department of Health will no longer be reporting where positive cases have been identified. The Department continues to work with nursing homes to minimize the spread of the illness and protect residents and staff.

Deaths
The Department now reports a total of 65 deaths. Below is a table of all reported deaths to date.
Age, Parish
36, Orleans
38, Catahoula
44, Orleans
44, Orleans
44, East Baton Rouge
44, Webster
44, Orleans
49, Orleans
49, Orleans
50, Orleans
52, East Baton Rouge
53, Orleans
53, Orleans
55, Orleans
55, Orleans
55, Iberville
56, Orleans
56, Ouachita
56, Orleans
57, Orleans
58, Orleans
59, Bienville
59, St. Bernard
60, St. James
62, Washington
62, Lafourche
63, Orleans
65, Orleans
66, Orleans
66, Ascension
68, Orleans
71, Orleans
72, Jefferson
72, Orleans
72, Jefferson
73, West Baton Rouge
74, Orleans
74, Orleans
76, Rapides
76, Calcasieu
77, Orleans
77, Jefferson
77, Jefferson
77, Orleans
78, Jefferson
79, St. Charles
79, East Baton Rouge
80, Orleans
83, Orleans
83, Orleans
84, Orleans
85, Orleans
86, Jefferson
86, St. John the Baptist
87, Orleans
89, Jefferson
90, Orleans
90, St. Tammany
91, Orleans
91, Orleans
92, Orleans
93, Orleans
95, St. John the Baptist
97, Orleans
98, Orleans

Reporting
Following the model of the CDC and many other states, the Department has moved to once daily reporting on the number of positive COVID-19 cases and deaths. The Department is now reporting positive cases and completed tests from the state lab and commercial labs. The Department’s dashboard was updated today at 12 p.m. The next update will be tomorrow at noon and will daily updates will follow at noon seven days a week.

Guidance for providers
All guidance memos issued can be found on the Department of Health website: www.ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.

Judge Hardee announces closure of Kaplan City Court to public

Wed, 03/25/2020 - 12:00pm

KAPLAN — Judge F. Stanton Hardee III has announced that Kaplan City Court has been closed, effective March 23.
Hardee said the closure will remain in effect through Monday, April 13, unless further extended by order of the court. Any questions can be answered by calling (337) 643-8116.
Hardee said it is further ordered that all Criminal 72-hour hearings for
incarcerated individuals will continue to be held by phone only on Mondays and Thursdays, with the undersigned judge and clerk on duty that day. Those hearings are the only critical essential tasks requiring the clerk and judge.
This order shall remain in effect until further order of the court.
Hardee said the court is acting in accordance with Louisiana Constitution Article V, Section 1, pursuant to La. R.S. 1 :55. due to President Donald Trump’s March 13, 2020 National Emergency declaration from COVID-19 coronavirus, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ Declaration of Public Health Emergencies in Proclamations 25 JBE 2020, 27 JBE 2020 and 30 JBE 2020 and 33 JBE 2020, Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Bernette Johnson’s March 23, 2020 Order, Vermilion Parish Police Jury President Dane Hebert’s March 12, 2020 State of Emergency Declaration, Kaplan Mayor Mike Kloesel and Council’s March 19, 2020, Emergency Declaration, considering the serious COVID-19 coronavirus emergency.

Above is a table of all reported deaths to date.

Above is a table of all reported deaths to date.

Tue, 03/24/2020 - 1:21pm

BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Health has updated its website to reflect the latest number of positives and will continue to update its website at noon each day.

Case count
The Department reports 216 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing total case count to 1,388.

Hospitalization
Currently, 271 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized. Of those, 94 patients require ventilation.

Deaths
The Department reports 12 additional deaths related to COVID-19 since its last update, bringing the total to 46 deaths.

Most WIC clinics are still open
Due to current COVID-19 precautions, LA WIC clinics are allowing participants and/or caregivers to stay in their vehicles for appointments. Your information will be collected over the phone and a member of the staff will come out to your vehicle. Please bring your ID, WIC EBT card and all other required documentation. Important: If you or anyone in your family have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, please call your WIC clinic and reschedule your appointment.
If you have any questions, please contact your clinic or 1-800-251-BABY.

Reporting
Following the model of the CDC and many other states, the Department has moved to once-daily reporting on the number of positive COVID-19 cases and deaths. The Department is now reporting positive cases and completed tests from the State Lab and commercial labs. The Department’s dashboard was updated today at 12 p.m. The next update will be tomorrow at noon and daily updates will follow at noon seven days a week.

Guidance for providers
All guidance memos issued can be found on the Department of Health website: www.ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.

Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel

BISHOP CLOSES LAFAYETTE DIOCESE OFFICES

Tue, 03/24/2020 - 12:55pm

LAFAYETTE — Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel has announced new directives for Catholic church parishes throughout the Diocese of Lafayette that became effective at 5 p.m. Monday, in accordance with the “Stay At Home” order issued Sunday by Gov. John Bel Edwards.
Deshotel urges everyone in our area to heed the governor’s order, both in what it requires and in what it seeks to accomplish in order to “flatten the curve” of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Central Offices of the Diocese of Lafayette closed at 4:30 p.m. Monday and will remain closed until further notice, and Central Offices staff members will work remotely and will be available via email.
Deshotel says that Catholic church parishes in the Diocese may remain open during times specified by each individual pastor, Monday through Saturday. Churches are to remain closed to the public on Sundays, in order to discourage large groups of people from gathering. This directive will remain in effect indefinitely, unless keeping churches open becomes a public health hazard or if social distancing is not practiced by those present.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be discontinued in the church parishes. Deshotel says this action is taken with great regret, however, it is done so in order to discourage the faithful from gathering in close proximity to one another. Funerals will continue as graveside services only, with a total of only ten people or fewer present.
Finally, Deshotel urges everyone in Acadiana to keep in prayer all those on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19 and all those who have been affected by it.

2ND CORONAVIRUS CASE IN ACADIA Parish

Tue, 03/24/2020 - 11:27am

FROM STAFF REPORTS, THE CROWLEY POST-SIGNAL
CROWLEY — Acadia Parish reported its second positive case of coronavirus Monday afternoon.
The first was reported Saturday evening.
Louisiana has the fastest growth rate of coronavirus cases in the world, Gov. John Bel Edwards said as he issued a “Stay at Home” order during a press conference Sunday afternoon.
The directive went into effect at 5 p.m. Monday
The state has the third-highest number of cases per capita in the country — behind New York and Washington, Edwards said. within a week, Louisiana has gone from reporting fewer than 100 cases to 1,172 cases in 41 of the state’s 64 parishes as of noon Monday.
To date, 34 deaths have been attributed to coronavirus in the state.
As of press time on Monday, Acadia Parish had one case of coronavirus, diagnosed Saturday evening.
In a statement released Monday, Mayor Tim Monceaux assured cicizens that the operations of city government will continue.
“As your Mayor, I want to express to you my concern for your well-being. We must, and will, get through this coronavirus pandemic if we all act responsibly,” Monceaux said. “I also want to assure you that I remain in constant communication with the Acadia Parish OEP ( Office of Emergency Preparedness), police jury, sheriff, chief of police, and our first responders.”
Monceaux said that, as orders and recommendations are handed down by the governor’s office and the OEP, he will make the appropriate declarations for the city and will keep the citizens informed through the media.
“Please be aware that our city hall, Rice Festival Building and MLK Center are closed to the public until further notice. City services continue to be provided and the functions of city government continue to operate,” Monceaux said. “We will communicate and conduct business from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, via U.S. mail, e-mail and phone.
“The departments of street, public works and wastewater continue to operate, practicing the safe methods and social distancing recommended by the CDC.”
The mayor urged citizens not to hesitate to reach out to him at city hall by calling 783-0824 and reminded that a mailbox has been set up at the front doors of city hall for those who wish to drop off written communications. The mail box is checked hourly.
In his Sunday address, Edwards noted, “In Louisiana, we have taken aggressive measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve; however, this is not enough,” Edwards said. “As our number of cases continue to grow, I am directing all Louisianans to stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary for you to leave. I am implementing this measure to help prevent you from becoming infected or infecting someone else.
“People can leave their homes to do essential things like buying groceries or food, pick up medicine or go to work only if their job is essential. If you have to go out, make sure you practice social distancing measures and keep 6 feet between you and the people around you.
“People are encouraged to go outside and to stay active during this time, as long as they practice social distancing when they are around their neighbors.”
The order is set to expire at the end of the night on Sunday, April 12. The governor will re-evaluate the need for the statewide Stay at Home order and other mitigation measures currently in place to determine if they need to be extended beyond April 12.
For businesses, the new Stay at Home order has limits on the following:
• All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, trampoline parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, pool halls, children’s play centers, playgrounds, theme parks, any theaters, concert and music halls, adult entertainment venues, racetracks, and other similar businesses.
• All personal care and grooming businesses, including but not limited to, barber shops, beauty salons, nail salons, spas, massage parlors, tattoo parlors, and other similar businesses.
• All malls, except for stores in a mall that have a direct outdoor entrance and exit that provide essential services and products as provided by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines.
• Businesses closed to the public as listed in the order can conduct necessary activities such as payroll, cleaning services, maintenance or upkeep as necessary.
• Any business not covered by the guidance from the CISA and not ordered to temporarily close must reduce operations to continue with minimum contact with members of the public and essential employees, while requiring proper social distancing, adhering to the 10-person limitation on gathering size.
• Early learning centers and child care facilities adhering to the guidance issued by the Louisiana Department of Education and Office of Public Health may continue to operate.
Police Chief Jimmy Broussard reported that there is no citywide curfew in place but he and the Crowley officials are asking everyone to abide by the governor’s stay-at-home order and to limit themselves to only essential traveling

RSS Feed

Christian Service Center in Abbeville still serving food

Vermilion, Cameron parishes have no confirmed COVID-19 cases -- yet

Vermilion Parish Schools System adds FIEB as grab-and-go meal’ site

UL Lafayette confirms COVID-19 case

COVID-19 testing will begin in Vermilion Parish on Thursday

Louisiana Department of Health COVID-19 Updates for March 25

Judge Hardee announces closure of Kaplan City Court to public

Above is a table of all reported deaths to date.

BISHOP CLOSES LAFAYETTE DIOCESE OFFICES

2ND CORONAVIRUS CASE IN ACADIA Parish

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