24 COVID-19 cases reported in three local parishes

The Louisiana Office of Public Health reported 24 new COVID-19 cases in St. Mary, St. Martin and Assumption in Thursday's midday report.

No new deaths were reported between noon Wednesday and noon Thursday.

In St. Mary, seven new COVID cases raised the total to 288 after more than 2,500 tests. The number of deaths remained at 29.

In St. Martin, 12 new cases raised the total to 287 after more than 2,800 tests. The death count remains at 22.

In Assumption, five new cases raised the total 238 after more than 1,700 tests. The number of deaths says at 11.

Statewide:

--1,188 new cases raised the total to 36,504.

--21 new deaths pushed the total to 2,506.

--The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19-related illness dropped by 47 to 884.

--The number of people on ventilators fell by three to 107.

The Louisiana Department of Health said the 1,188 case figure includes more than 600 older cases deemed "historical." The actual count for the Wednesday-Thursday period is actually closer the 500, the department said.