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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.

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

BATON ROUGE — Gov. John Bel Edwards is requesting a major disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana as the number of cases of COVID-19 grows and the state’s efforts to combat the spread of illness intensifies. The declaration would allow the federal government to provide additional support for state and local agencies in dealing with this growing public health threat.
“It is still impossible to know exactly how long the COVID-19 pandemic will impact Louisiana, but what we do know is that we have more cases per capita than every state, except for New York and Washington. Sadly, 34 people have died in Louisiana and our case count continues to rise, which is why we need additional federal aid,” Edwards said.
“We have overwhelmed our stocks of key resources needed for our hospitals, first responders and emergency managers. There will be a long-lasting impact on the state of Louisiana, and we have taken aggressive mitigation measures to fight the spread of COVID-19. I have been appreciative of the support of the federal government, especially Vice President Mike Pence’s COVID-19 task force, and I am hopeful FEMA will quickly approve our request as we continue our response and work towards recovery.”

June 30, 1945 ~ March 21, 2020

KAPLAN — Private graveside services will be held honoring the life of John “Poppa John” Krmenec, 74, who died Saturday, March 21, 2020 at his residence. He will be laid to rest at Cossinade Cemetery with Pastor Lane Payne officiating the services.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Freida Mathews Krmenec of Kaplan; his three sons, John Michael Krnenec and his wife, Deanie of West Monroe, John Lyle Herpin and his wife. Krystal of Valdosta, GA and Danny Herpin and his wife, Ty Walsh of Maurice; his two daughters, Dora and her husband, Bob Carr of Fort Walton Beach, FL, and Jeanne and her husband, Kent LeMaire of Kaplan; his daughter-in-law, Sharon Herpin; his six sisters, his two brothers, his 16 grandchildren; and his 12 great granchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fernand Krmenec and the former Vivian Bryce; and his son, T-Tom Herpin.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276.