The strong upswing in the number of COVID-19 cases across Louisiana is not affecting Red River Parish as the rest of the state.  Latest figures from the Louisiana Department of Health show Red River has had 53 confirmed cases with 8 deaths attributed to the virus. There have been 706 total tests performed.

These figures may increase after the first week of July.  That is when there will be free testing for the virus in the parish. 

On Tuesday, the Louisiana Department of Health reports 1,356 COVID-19 cases reported to the state since Monday, bringing the total to 51,595 cases. Louisiana had the third largest single-week increase in cases last week, beaten only by the first two weeks of April during the upswing. 

The vast majority (95%) of Tuesday’s increase in case growth is tied to community spread rather than congregate settings like nursing homes. 

In terms of timeline, the specimen collection date of 97% of these cases ranges from June 15 to June 23, i.e., the big increase is not tied to a backlog. 

The percent positivity of test results reported to the state is 7.6%; the federal goal is to keep this figure below 10%. 

Unfortunately, LDH also reports an additional 17 COVID-19 deaths, bringing the state’s total to 3,021 deaths since the start of the pandemic. 

“We are quite concerned by the COVID-19 numbers and the overall direction we are moving in,” said Dr. Alex Billioux, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Public Health. “What we are seeing appears to be connected to increased movement, a lot of which is probably related to further reopening of the economy and at least some individuals not adhering to recommended precautions. We are seeing significant COVID-19 spread related to people congregating in groups with little to no social distancing or masking. The largest increase in cases is among young adults.”

“We know many Louisianans are doing the right thing – and we thank them for it. As the Governor said yesterday, this is a deadly, highly contagious virus. It does not take many of us slipping up to spread quickly,” said Dr. Courtney Phillips, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.  “Just because we are in Phase 2 does not mean there is no risk involved when we go out in public,” he said.

As more businesses open and more people leave their homes, it is more important now than ever to protect ourselves and others by masking up and staying 6 feet apart,” said Kimberly Robinson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue. “If you are walking into a business and you see others who are not wearing masks, you should walk right back out. From the person who collects the state’s money, I’m telling you to let your wallet talk.”