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LAPLACE — As of the Sunday update from the Louisiana Department of Health, there have been 345 reported cases of COVID-19 and 24 deaths in St. John the Baptist Parish. 

On Saturday, there were 338 recorded cases and 23 deaths in St. John Parish. 

As of Sunday at noon, St. Charles Parish has 260 reported cases and 13 deaths, while St. James has 155 reported cases and six deaths. 

Statewide, there are 13,010 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across 61 parishes. This marks an increase of 514 cases since yesterday’s report. 

Three Louisiana parishes have not reported cases, though Governor John Bel Edwards said he is certain the virus has spread in all 64 parishes. There have been 477 deaths, up 68 from Saturday. The first death in the state was reported on March 14. 

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, there are 1,803 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across the state. Of these patients, 561 are on ventilators. 

This data is updated daily at noon. 

Edwards has extended his Stay At Home order for Louisiana residents through April 30. To read the full order, visit https://gov.louisiana.gov/assets/Proclamations/2020/JBE-33-2020.pdf. 

As of Friday, the CDC now recommends the usage for cloth face coverings especially in areas of “high community-based transmissions.” While social distancing remains important in slowing down the spread of the virus, usage of the cloth mask will help those that have the virus and not realize they have it from spreading it to others. The masks are meant to work with the stay at home proclamation not replace it. 

The cloth masks are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which are critical supplies and should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders. Cloth masks are easy to make and can be made from a scarf, bandana, face towel, an old tee shirt or other available cloths.  

To make a Tee Shirt mask:  

1. Cut the tee shirt in half, from bottom to top.
2. Fold the bottom to the middle
3. Fold the top to the middle
4. Fold the bottom to the middle again
5. Fold the top to the middle again.
6. Slide a rubberband on each side about ¼ of the way in.
7. Fold each side in to meet in the middle.
8. Place on face with the rubber bands behind the ears.

Please remember that St. John Parish government remains operational during normal business hours Monday – Friday and residents can contact the Parish for assistance by dialing 985-652-9569 or emailing info@stjohn-la.gov. Information is also being posted to Facebook, Instagram, sjbparish.com, and the Government Access Channel (15-Comcast/RTC and 99-Uverse).