LAFAYETTE, La. — Lafayette Consolidated Government held its regular press briefing on the parish's response to COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory said that while it does appear the parish has made meaningful progress in flatting the curve locally, he still strongly encourages social distancing measures to continue.
Guillory also added that residents of the parish shouldn't get complacent.
"The most important factor in slowing this virus is us," he said. "Our best chance for success comes from us continuing to take the situation seriously."
Guillory also acknowledged the questions about when and how economy will reopen, both locally and across our nation.
Guillory said that he takes both the public health impacts and the economic impacts extremely serious.
He said he shares the president's desire to open the economy as soon as possible, while at the same time ensuring the safety and health of the community.
"Since the beginning of this emergency, I have been relying on the advice from medical experts from the CDC to GOHSEP to our local public health advisory team," Guillory said. “I have also worked hard to ensure that Lafayette Parish is in compliance with the governor’s stay at home order and emergency declarations, while seeking flexibility wherever possible, appropriate and responsible.
"In the coming days and weeks, I will continue to heed the federal guidance, the advice of local and regional health experts and state law as embodied in the emergency orders of the governor," said Guillory. "Simultaneously, we will accelerate our local dialogue with LEDA, LED and area businesses as well as our congressional and legislative delegations.
"We will thoroughly evaluate our options regarding timeframes, processes and best practices as we plan for what comes next," he said. "I am concerned about the short-term impact of this public health emergency on the fiscal health on our city and our parish."
LCG officials also urged residents who may be experiencing a delay in trash and curbside collections to be patient.
According to LCG, the company that they contract with for garbage collection, Republic Services, is doing its best to keep up with rising demand for waste collection as more residents are at home and doing more yard work, which is generating more waste for them to collect.
During Monday's press conference, Mayor-President Josh Guillory announced that the COVID-19 screening site at the Cajundome would close on Wednesday, April 15.
Officials said that the site has served its purpose to screen those who may be showing symptoms of the disease at a time when no other sites existed.
The Cajundome site first opened on March 18.
On Tuesday, April 14, Lafayette Parish was reporting 363 cases of coronavirus with 15 deaths. An increase in three cases and one death from Monday.
Statewide the Louisiana Department of Health was reporting 21,518 coronavirus cases with 1,013 deaths on Monday. Deaths in the state increased by 129 from Monday's total of 884.
To see the lastest numbers from LDH, click here.
