Slower growth in COVID cases here, but three deaths occur in local parishes

The number of new COVID-19 cases continues to grow more slowly in three local parishes and statewide, according to the midday Wednesday report from the Louisiana Office of Public Health. But three deaths were reported Wednesday in St. Mary and St. Martin.

Statewide hospitalizations and ventilator usage continued their recent downward trend.

In St. Mary, seven new COVID positives raised the total since the pandemic began to 1,511. Two deaths reported Wednesday raise the toll to 51. St. Mary Coroner Eric Melancon said last week the number of deaths in St. Mary had reached 51 but that some of the deaths hadn't been reported by the state yet.

Ten new cases in St. Martin raised the parish's total to 1,590. Another death was reported, bringing the pandemic total to 43.

Four new cases were reported in Assumption, where the total is now 561. The death toll there remains at 20.

Statewide:

--1,482 new cases pushed the pandemic total to 125,943

--41 new deaths raised the total to 3,978.

--16 fewer people were hospitalized Wednesday than was the case Tuesday for an updated total of 1,471.

--17 fewer people were on ventilators for a total of 223.