Lafayette Consolidated Government held its daily press briefing on Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) on Thursday where officials will give an update on the number of cases in the parish and their response to the ongoing public health emergency.
According to Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory, there were 125 people screened at the Cajundome screening site Thursday with 55 people screened out and 7 people who were tested for COVID-19.
To date, there have been a total of 628 people screened out and 658 people tested for COVID-19. Guillory added that these number do not include local hospitals and emergency rooms that are also conducting their own tests for the virus.
Guillory mentioned the COVID-19 federal stimulus and aid bill that passed the U.S. Senate Wednesday night and now heads to the House of Representatives. He said that he should have more details on the bill by early next week in regard to how it will affect small businesses in the area.
Guillory said that all local businesses will get the help they need when they request assistance. He added that the Small Business Administration will be announcing changes to its loan process to make it easier for businesses to apply for them and get relief from the economic impact of the virus.
"The health implications of the virus are significant," said Guillory, "but so is the economic impact."
Guillory said that he will have more guidance on these developments by next week.
"Do not get complacent," warned Guilory. "We are still dealing with this virus and it is still serious and can kill people."
Guillory said that his tone had changed on the economic impact that the virus is having locally is because he wants to be ahead of the curve on helping the local economy recover. He reminded local businesses to visit www.Lafayette.org/COVID for resources that may help them.
On Thursday, March 26, the Louisiana Department of Health was reporting 30 cases of COVID-19 in Lafayette Parish.
Statewide there were 2,305 cases with 83 deaths.
Numbers are updated every day at 12 p.m. on the Department of Health website.
