Edwards Stops Short Of Reinstating Statewide Mask Mandate

Coronavirus Charts and Graphs On Digital Display

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Gov. John Bel Edwards stopped short of reinstating a statewide mask mandate on Friday as Louisiana continues to fight a fourth surge of COVID-19 fueled by its Delta variant.

Edwards said many hospitals across the state asked for the mandate to put back in place, but the Governor told reporters he would review the latest data from the CDC and continue to talk with health officials before making a decision.

Edwards noted that any mandate would likely look like his current recommendation to that anyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask indoors in public spaces if unable to maintain six feet of distance.

Louisiana recorded 5,313 new COVID-19 cases with 31 additional deaths Friday.

The number of patients hospitalized due to the coronavirus rose to 1,740 with 167 on ventilators.

The Louisiana Department of Health said most of the new cases and current hospitalizations come from those who are not fully vaccinated.

The Governor urged residents to "run, don't walk" to get the coronavirus vaccine.

Watch the update from Edwards here, courtesy LPB:


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