news 15 today

news 15 today

Good morning 'm carter simoneaux and yo're watching news15 today.

And 'm taylor trache... thanks for tuning in!

Standing by, we 3 have adam olivier to get you out the door with storm team 1's no wait weather.... ... good morning adam!

Toss to adam in boxe* 3 we will see more warm temperatures and rain chances through the next week.

Today will see the gray, damp conditions turn into warm, muggy air later today.

A stray shower will be possible, but rain chances are much less than yesterday.

With the extra sunshine expected in the afternoon, highs will reach the lower 80s.

A strong breeze will pick up in the afternoon.

Tonight will see more clouds and humidity.

Some patchy, dense fog will form closer to sunrise.

Lows will only fall into the upper 60s.today: mostly cloudy, then sun and clouds in the afternoon.

A stray shower is possible.

High: 81?tonight: mostly cloudy and muggy.

Patchy fog late.

Low: 67?thursday: a few afternoon showers.

Breezy with wind gusts above 20 mph.

High: 82?

3 starting off our newscast with the latest numbers on covid-19 in louisiana.

According to the louisiana department of health.... 196 cases have been reported in the state with 4 deaths resulting from covid-19.

The state lab has administered over 500 tests, so far.

The center point for the virus still remains in orleans parish.

There are over 100 cases in orleans parish with the next highest being jefferson parish with 35 cases.

There are 13 parishes that have atleast one case reported.

As of last night, no covid-19 cases have been reported in acadiana.

Looking at age groups being affected in our state -- for adults 18 through 39 there are 32 cases of covid-19.

Adults 40 to 59 there are 89 cases and those 60 and above there have been 75 cases of the virus reported in the state.

These numbers are avaible for you to check at l-d-h dot l-a dot gov.

3 happening today -- a covid-19 screening site will begin testing today at the cajundome from 9 a-m to 3 p-m.

The screening site will run for as long as needed.

And tha's where we find news1's leigha mcneil... leigha what do people need know before coming to the cajundome.

3 if you still have more concerns -- officials are also offering a hotline.

For more information on covid-19 dial 3-1-1.

The united way of acadiana is filling the gap where many are in need.

In response to the 50 dollar cost for covid-19 tests screening, u-w-a is seeking to help anyone who is screened but unable to afford the fee.

To get more information log on to k-a-d-n dot com 3 with area schools and businesses closed to help prevent the spread of covid-19, the word social distancing has become widely used over the past week.

So, what is social distancing?

News 1's tiffany maddox explains.

Social distance- the precieved or desired degree of remoteness between people or social groups.in lamen terms, i's the distance between us.

Public health officials say this distance can help keep people healthy and slow down the spread of contagious sicknesses like covid-19.

"keeping some space between you and other people.

So, do't shake peopl's hands, try not to hug i's very counter to what we do in southwest acadiana."

So exactly how much space is enough to keep you safe?

According to the c-d-c and the world health organization, social distancing is about three feet.

For example the width of a door.

Or the length of a guitar.

Even in the newsroom w're practicing what we preach by keeping a three to six foot distance between each other.

Stefanski says we should also make sure we practice social distance or stay away from high-risk groups.

"so for young healthy people they may just have mild symptoms lkke a cold, but for about 15-20 percent of people, who haev underline health problems like heart disease, lung problems, diabetes, they have cancer, immunal compromise, the're older than 60, especially older than 80, if they get this virus it can make them very sick."

Social distancing is a form of prevention that dr. stefanski says can help prevent covid-19 in acadiana.

" if we do't reduce the burden or level of virus in our comunity now, then we really are akt risk for in the next couple of weeks really ending up with a large number of cases that again could ultimately really overwhelm our health care system."

In lafayette, tiffany maddox, news 15.

3 dr. stefanski says though it may seem like spring break, do't have big sleepovers, parties or do anything with large crowds.

She also says the best things to do would be: stay home and wash your hands.

While that isolation could make you feel depressed... there*ar* some things you can do to feel less lonely.

Experts from northwestern university say if you have to work at home... use web-conferencing options so you are still able to connect with co-workers... face-to-face.

If your kids are out of school ... you could see it as a time to connect with them ... by playing games, reading, or watching movies together.

Helping others is another great way to boost your spirits.

So check in on your friends and neighbors... especially those who live alone.

With enhanced resident safety measures, it means that loved ones are not able to visit nursing facility residents in person.

Nursing homes across louisiana are looking for creative ways to make sure their residents stay in touch with loved ones.

Patterson health care center came up with a photobooth!

- a creative way to keep families connected.

Center officials say in addition to calls, texts and video messages, their facility put together a message board for residents.

The pandemic is't just affecting our everyday lives - now i's impacting the big occasions.

For some couples, months of planning is down the drain as the're forced to put off their weddings.

News 1's hannah st.

Claire spoke to one bride-to-be about her big day.

3 breanne-the corona virus recently has effected me greatly because i had to postpone my wedding... lafayette native breane sturm had to recently postpone her wedding that was only 10 days away due to the covid-19 outbreak... breanne- my mom was crying and then i knew what she was 3 about to tell me and so my dad finished for hr and told me the owner of the venue called and that we had to postpone it.

Venues all around louisiana have had to call brides with weddings right around the corner and deliver the dreadful news susan-our brides have just basically been postponing their dates so were working with them to find new dates like in the summer unfortunately our fall dates have been booked prior so we are fitting them into empty dates .measures introduced over the past weeks have warn citizens to avoid shaking hands or hugging, social distancing and the quarantining of people who have been in contact with the virus and most venues like the victorian plantation are trying their best to accommodate the future brides with new dates despite everything that is going on but it still feels like an inconvenience to many breanne-its inconveniencing because i have to move my whole wedding they are cutting back work hours you have to think can you afford your wedding and its crazy and i understand but i personally think it may b a little too much susan-i think the government is handling it as best as they can with the information that they have i mean certainly its a inconvenience for everyone but i always side with caution and we just have to do that as a community to stop it...i mean it is what it is...and i have faith that it will past and everything will come back were just in that unknown period that everyone is so scared about.

In lafayette....hannah st claire...news 15 3 the american red cross desperately needs your blood.

According to the red cross... the covid-19 outbreak has resulted in the cancellation of roughly 27-hundred of its blood drives across the country.the organization says that number will only increase.

Several safety measures have been implemented at the blood drives and donation centers to protect both the donors..

And the staff... from the virus.

But... there is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted through blood transfusion.you can schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-red-cross ... or by visiting red-cross- blood-dot-org.

3 free lunch is now available to l-p-s-s students.

Governor john bel edwards made the announcement last week that schools will be closed until april 13th due to growing concerns over covid-19.

We have a list of sites with free lunches available under the coronavirus tab on k-a-d-n dot com with students still out of school for nearly four more weeks... school officials are making plans for the future.

The lafayette parish school board met last night to discuss their plans for making quick decisions in the wake of this virus.

They voted unanimously to allow the superintendent to make those choices.

"with my background in micro biology trying to make sure we are being guided in the right direction and there are so many decisions on a day in day out basis that take place and before they need us to come back and meet again and meet again just giving her the autonomy, the power she needs to make those smart and wise decisions to help keep our school system running."

For the latest updates head over to the website on your screen.

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