Gov. John Bel Edwards held his daily briefing on Thursday to give updates on the states response to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
Edwards announced that he would be signing a new executive order later in the day that would extend his Stay-At-Home Order through April 30.
Edwards confirmed that that state had the most coronavirus cases in a single day on Thursday, with 2,726 cases bringing the total 9,150 positive cases, and 310 deaths.
The governor had warned earlier on Thursday that there would be a huge spike coming from a backlog in private lab results that don't necessarily accurately reflect the growth of the virus.
Edwards still called the numbers "startling."
"Even though I was prepared for the number, they are still jarring for me," Edwards said.
The governor also provided some context for those spike in numbers saying that 95% of positive results are from commercial lab tests.
He said that the current increase is less a sign of exponential growth and more of a sign of a logjam from commercial labs who may have tested for these patients.
Edwards also announced that Louisianans would receive an emergency alert text on their smartphones on Thursday about the emergency order.
Edwards said that school closures will continue through April 30 and that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is in the process of determining what could potentially happen beyond April 30.
According to the governor's office, the updated proclamation unites several proclamations the governor issued in March, extending them to April 30. A separate order relating to unemployment is forthcoming. Guidelines for funeral services and licensure for healthcare workers were already extended to April 30 in the proclamation that was issued earlier this week.
He said that citizens could test LACOVID to 67283 to opt into texts to their phones about updates and information on COVID-19.
A new website has been establish at CoronaVirus.LA.Gov about the state's response to the virus.
In a noon update, the state saw a jump of over 2,000 confirmed cases, with a total number at 9,150. LDH is reporting 310 people have died.
On Wednesday, April 1, there were 6,424 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Louisiana, with 273 deaths.
To see the breakdown of the numbers in Acadiana, click here.
Watch the governor's Thursday press conference below:
You can read the governor's updated emergency order below:
