LAFAYETTE, La. - LCG provided an update to the parish's response to COVID-19 in a daily press briefing on Friday.
During the conference, Mayor-President Josh Guillory announced the latest on the coronavirus.
As of noon on April 3, the Louisiana Department of Health reported 1,140 additional cases since Wednesday, bringing the total to 10,297 positive cases of COVID-19. So far, 370 people have died.
As of Friday, April 3, there are 276 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lafayette Parish. That is on 5,136 tests administered.
"We're beginning to strain the availability of ICU beds, ventilators and PPE throughout Region 4," said Guillory. "Our healthcare stakeholders are working on plans to to extend our capacity and we'll provide that information as it becomes available."
Mayor-President stressed the importance of social distancing, washing your hands and staying home when possible.
On Thursday, 71 people were screened Cajundome COVID-19 screening site, and 64 were tested for COVID-19. To date, 1,089 people have been tested
The Cajundome COVID-19 screening site will reduce operations beginning next week, in an effort to keep healthcare workers healthy and prepared for "what will likely be a busy month or months ahead," according to a release from Lafayette Consolidated Government. The site will maintain the current hours, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., through Saturday, April 4, and will be closed on Sunday, April 5. Next week, the site will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Starting Monday, April 13, the schedule will shift to 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until further notice.
Those wishing to be screened are still encouraged to dial 311 and select option 1 when prompted to speak to a healthcare professional. The call center is open 24 hours a day to help pre-screen those who are concerned about their health in relation to COVID-19.
Public Transportation
LCG's Department of Public Works, Transit Division has announced Friday as an additional precaution associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19), staffing will be modified on the fixed service routes. Every effort is being made to maintain the excellent level of service previously offered while still minimizing the risk to our employees and passengers. Therefore, effective Monday, April 6, 2020, LTS will begin running nine (9) buses during the daytime hours from 5:45 am - 5:15 pm. These routes will mirror the Night Owl routes. However, routes will have 30 minute headways. Additionally, Route 20 will be run every hour beginning at 6:15 am, with final departure at 4:15 pm.
Night Owl Service will begin at 5:30 pm and run until 9:30 pm with final departure at 8:30 pm.
LTS will continue to take every precaution possible associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19), including disinfection of the buses and minimizing seating on the buses to better conform to the social distancing policy. These precautions will take place as long as necessary.
LTS is taking the extra precaution of having passengers board and disembark through the back of the bus in an effort to minimize driver/passenger contact. Fares are also being waived in an effort to lessen the burden to our passengers during this trying time.
For more information regarding the amended bus schedules and routes, please visit: www.ridelts.com.
LUS UPDATE: SERVICE DISCONNECTS AND LATE FEES
Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) suspended service disconnects and late fees for LUS customers for 60 days upon Governor John Bel Edwards declaring a statewide Public Health Emergency on Friday, March 13th.
As Lafayette's community owned utility, we recognized that our customers' health and well-being, during this pandemic, requires access to electricity, water and wastewater services. LUS does recommend for customers, that are able, to continue making payments by mail (P.O. Box 4024-C, Lafayette, LA 70502), online at www.lus.org, or by telephone at (337) 291-8280 to keep their account balance current.
LUS Customer Service locations at 1875 W. Pinhook Road and 2701 Moss Street are closed to walk-in customers, but both locations will have a drop-box available for check or money order payments. The Moss location will have the drive-thru available for customers Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Our crews are actively working throughout the city during this pandemic, responding to power outages and water/wastewater issues and processing service requests for broken street lights and trimming trees limbs over power lines. As a reminder, LUS is practicing social distancing to keep our crews and the public safe during this pandemic.
LUS has been Lafayette's publicly owned utility for almost 125 years through the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918 and through the numerous hurricanes, tornadoes and storms of the past century. As always, LUS continues its mission of providing reasonable utility rates and reliable services to our community.
Watch Friday's press conference below:
