News

Magnolia Park Closed – Barricades, like these at Magnolia Park in St. Martinville, have gone up at the entrances of St. Martin Parish parks. A rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, with 20 cases diagnosed and three deaths as of Tuesday, March 31, sealed the decision by President Chester Cedars to close the parks. (Karl Jeter)

Chiefs: Stay-at-home order mostly obeyed

Fri, 04/03/2020 - 5:34pm

Local police and the St. Martin Sheriff’s Office report that residents are generally following Governor John Bel Edwards’ stay-at-home order. Edwards issued the order, effective as of 5 p.m. on March 23, in response to a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Louisiana.
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Ginny Higgins told the Teche News that no complaints about public gatherings have been received by the office.

Read more about Chiefs: Stay-at-home order mostly obeyed

Parish President Chester Cedars, speaking at a press conference on March 27, said “Only you have the power to stop this epidemic.” He offered little hope that the corona virus would be brought under control if people continue to ignore “stay at home” orders from Governor John Bel Edwards. Looking on are Dr. Tina Stephanski with the Louisiana Department of Health, and St. Martin Coroner Dr. Warren J. Degatur Jr. (Karl Jeter)

Parish president: Public response much too slow

Fri, 04/03/2020 - 5:32pm

During a somber press conference last Friday at the St. Martin Parish Public Safety Complex, Parish President Chester Cedars told members of the media that the COVID-19 pandemic had claimed three lives in the parish.

Read more about Parish president: Public response much too slow

COVID-19 cases skyrocket in state

Thu, 04/02/2020 - 6:42pm

“If you wait for these numbers to grab your attention, guess what? You just let the virus win,” a visibly distressed Governor John Bel Edwards reiterated of Louisiana’s new Coronavirus cases at a Thursday afternoon press conference.

Read more about COVID-19 cases skyrocket in state

Louisiana COVID-19 cases rise again

Wed, 04/01/2020 - 5:25pm

Coronavirus numbers were up again Wednesday in Louisiana by 1,187 additional cases over a 24-hour period. Louisiana Department of Health reports a moderation in the death rate, posting 34 more deaths when 54 Louisianans had died the day before. LDH reports 6,424 Louisianans have the Coronavirus of which nearly 1,500 have been admitted to hospitals. Nearly 500 are on ventilators and hospital officials say they are running out of the machines. Ventilators enable patients to cut recovery times by up to 75%.