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COVID cases slow, hospitalizations down, but 2 more deaths reported in St. Mary

Fri, 08/27/2021 - 4:10pm

The COVID-19 case count is growing more slowly, and Louisiana COVID hospitalizations continued to fall in Friday's Office of Public Health report for the previous 24 hours.

But the St. Mary COVID death toll continued to rise with two more fatalities reported Friday.

The two deaths raise St. Mary's pandemic toll to 187. Forty of those deaths have occurred since Aug. 1.

Twenty-eight new COVID cases were reported Friday for St. Mary, raising the pandemic count to 7,782.

Statewide, 3,428 new cases were reported Friday along with 61 deaths.

The number of COVID-19 patients in Louisiana hospitals dropped by 45 to 2,684 Friday. At their peak, hospitalizations exceeded 3,000.

Cleco prepares for Ida

Fri, 08/27/2021 - 1:34pm

In addition Cleco personnel dedicated to Tropical Storm Ida, Cleco Power has secured 1,100 workers, including damage assessors, power line technicians and vegetation specialists to help repair any damage to our transmission and distribution systems, the utility said in a news release.

“Cleco prepares for storms year-round. We have a detailed emergency response plan in place that is reviewed and rehearsed throughout the year to help us prepare, respond and improve,” said Clint Robichaux, manager of distribution operations support. “Tropical Storm Ida is moving quickly and is expected to become a major hurricane. If the projected intensity holds, customers should expect high winds, flooding, tree damage and power outages.”

Forecasters indicate that Tropical Storm Ida could make landfall Sunday afternoon in southeast Louisiana as a Category 3 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of about 120 mph when the center of the storm reaches land.

“Safety is a priority in everything we do. When conditions are safe, our workers will begin patrolling to assess damage by land and or air,” said Robichaux. “From there, we’ll start clearing debris, making repairs and restoring power.”

Safety tips to follow before, during and after a storm:
• Have flashlights, a battery-powered radio and extra batteries.
• Make a list of important phone numbers and family contact numbers.
• Make sure cell phones and other devices are fully charged.
• Plan for medical or special needs.
• Operate portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas and plug appliances directly into generators with grounded extension cords. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.
• Assume all downed power lines are live and stay away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 1-800-622-6537 and 911.
• If water is rising, turn off electricity at the main breaker, evacuate and stay away until waters have completely receded.

For additional safety information and how Cleco is preparing, follow the company on Facebook @ClecoPower or visit Cleco’s Storm Center page at cleco.com/storm-center

Closing the flood gates

Fri, 08/27/2021 - 1:29pm

The city government was at work early Friday afternoon, closing most of the gates in the Morgan City flood. Most of the gates will be closed Friday, and the rest will be closed Saturday. A storm surge watch is in effect for St. Mary, and the National Weather Service says the surge will push the Atchafalaya River at Morgan City up nearly 4 feet to 6.5 feet on Sunday. That's half a foot above the stage that causes flooding between the Morgan City and Berwick flood walls. Gravity Drainage District 2A has plans to close the Walnut Street barge at Lakeside Subdivision, and the Franklin Canal and Bayou Teche flood gates will be closed by Saturday in western St. Mary.

The Daily Review/Diane Miller Fears

Governor asks for federal emergency declaration

Fri, 08/27/2021 - 1:20pm

Late Thursday evening, Gov. John Bel Edwards requested a pre-landfall Federal Declaration of Emergency in a letter to President Joseph R. Biden in advance of Hurricane Ida, which is forecast to make landfall in Louisiana as a Category 3 hurricane late Sunday evening or Monday morning.

On Thursday, Gov. Edwards declared a state of emergency for Tropical Storm Idea, allowing the state to begin its preparations and to assist local governments as they respond. Already 12 parishes have declared states of emergency and more are anticipated to do so.

“Unfortunately, Louisiana is forecast to get a direct, strong hit from Tropical Storm Ida, which could make landfall as a major hurricane, a category 3, which is compounded by our current fourth surge of COVID-19. This is an incredibly challenging time for our state,” Edwards said. “The time for the people of Louisiana to prepare for this strong storm is now, as portions of our state will begin seeing impacts of this storm early Sunday morning, or even late Saturday evening. The next 24 hours are incredibly critical for the state, and a statewide federal emergency declaration will go a long way in helping us respond to Ida.”

Schools, football among storm caused cancellations

Fri, 08/27/2021 - 12:48pm

With Hurricane Ida predicted to be a powerful hurricane by Sunday, Tri-City area cancellations are being announced.
Morgan City High School Principal Timothy Hymel has announced that due to storm, the football jamboree scheduled at Morgan City Tiger Stadium for Friday night has been canceled.
Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Director Hailee Thomas has announced the postponement of the festival’s coronation. The coronation was planned for Saturday.
“I just wanted to let you know, after advisement from the (Morgan City) city council we have decided to postpone the coronation to next weekend,” she said.
The event, which is not open to the general public this year due to COVID-19 concerns, will be held Sept. 4 at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.
St. Mary Parish Public Schools Superintendent Teresa Bagwell has announced the closings of all public schools in the parish.
The Houma/Thibodaux Dioceses has also announced that there will be no school for the Central Catholic campus in Morgan City on Monday.
St. Mary Parish Consolidated Gravity Drainage District 2A has released a statement about the possible closure of the Walnut Street canal in Lakeside Subdivision in Morgan City.
The district will keep an eye on rising waters and will make a decision on the closing of the Walnut Street canal in Lakeside in Morgan City on an as needed basis. For information on the possible closure, call the district’s office at 985-380-5511.

St. Mary public schools will close Monday

Fri, 08/27/2021 - 12:38pm

St. Mary Parish Schools will close on Monday, Aug. 30, due to the approach of a predicted major hurricane.

Parents should monitor the school district’s website for further updates as the storm passes the area and a return to school date is announced.

District officials will survey any damages once the storm exits and immediately communicate with staff and parents on school reopening through the St. Mary Parish Schools website and JCampus messaging system.

Morgan City Council declares emergency; voluntary evacuation in place

Fri, 08/27/2021 - 12:36pm

Mayor Lee Dragna has called for a voluntary evacuation of the City of Morgan City as of 6 P.M. August 27, 2021. Residents who require power or have special medical needs are urged to evacuate. There will be NO SHELTERS in the city, and Oschner St. Mary can only accept "dire need" patients due to Covid.
Ida is expected to be a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the northern Gulf Coast on Sunday, and the risk of hurricane-force winds continues to increase, especially along portions of the Louisiana coast. Potentially devastating wind damage could occur where the core of Ida moves onshore. Ida is likely to produce heavy rainfall later Sunday into Monday across the central Gulf Coast from southeast Louisiana to coastal Mississippi and Alabama, as well as the Lower Mississippi Valley, resulting in considerable flash, urban, small stream, and riverine flooding.
Sand bags will be available to Morgan City residents ONLY under the bridge at David Drive. Be prepared to fill your own bags.
The City is in the process of closing all of the floodgates under a 10’ sill. This will include all gates on Front Street as well as some located on Young’s Road. The gate at Conrad Shipyard and Levee Road will be opened until the last minute to allow for thru traffic for businesses and homes. The City will continue to monitor the storm and close any other gates as needed. All gates will be closed by tomorrow afternoon.
The St. Mary Drainage District is preparing for the closure of Walnut Street Canal.
Republic Services has notified the City that there will be no garbage pickup for the Monday routes. Please secure your garbage cans.

Possible closure of Walnut Street canal announced

Fri, 08/27/2021 - 12:15pm

The St. Mary Parish Consolidated Gravity Drainage District 2A has released a statement about the possible closure of the Walnut Street canal in Lakeside Subdivision in Morgan City.
“Please be advised, due to the current unpredictable path of a strong storm developing in the Gulf of Mexico, the District MAY BE FORCED to close the Walnut Street barge.
“Any such closure shall be made in accordance with the policy adopted by the District on September 12, 2016, that was based upon the findings and recommendation set forth in the analysis and report performed by the District’s professional engineering firm. The District will monitor water levels on a daily basis when making such determination.
“Notice of such closure shall be published via the District’s social media platform. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact our office at 985-380-5511.”

Blue Cross lifts restrictions on early med refills

Fri, 08/27/2021 - 12:01pm

Tropical Storm Ida is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and make landfall along the Louisiana coast Sunday night into Monday morning.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana urges all residents to consider their health needs and take steps to prepare, especially in the ongoing COVID-19 surge. See tips, including how to download a digital ID card, at bcbsla.com/hurricanes.

Blue Cross and HMO Louisiana are allowing early prescription medicine refills for a limited time. This applies to members with Express Scripts pharmacy benefits through Blue Cross. Members should make sure they have enough medication for a few days in case they need to evacuate or are unable to leave their homes during severe weather. If you have trouble refilling a prescription, call the Pharmacy or Customer Service number on your ID card. Blue Cross and Express Scripts will help you and your pharmacy with this process.

As your family makes storm preparations, consider your healthcare needs:

Keep your health care coverage information handy, including your ID card. Blue Cross customers can log into their member accounts to get a digital version of their ID cards. Many other health plans offer digital versions of ID cards, which is an easy way to keep this information with you.

Make a list of your family’s health information, including any medications you take with dosages and the names of your healthcare providers and their contact information. Store this on your phone, or keep a written copy in your wallet or somewhere else it will be with you if you leave home. If you need to get care or get a prescription filled while away, this will be very helpful.

Take precautions against COVID-19. Be aware that a statewide mask mandate is in effect for all indoor public places. And, shelters or transportation services for evacuation may enforce social distancing to limit the spread of the virus. Follow all rules and public health guidelines.

Sign up for telehealth services so you can be treated online if you’re away from home. Ask your regular healthcare providers if they offer telehealth services. Blue Cross customers can have 24/7 online doctor visits with BlueCare, the insurer’s telehealth platform.

BlueCare works on any device with internet and a camera, like a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer, and is a good option to treat routine, non-emergency medical conditions like pink eye, mild stomach viruses, bladder infections, rashes and more. BlueCare is available in all 50 states, and BlueCare providers can write prescriptions to treat many conditions via telehealth.

BlueCare is easy to use and costs less than ER or urgent care visits. What you pay for a BlueCare visit depends on your plan type and benefits. Before your visit begins, you’ll see what it will cost. You will not be charged until your visit is finished. Create your BlueCare account at www.BlueCareLA.com or with the BlueCare (one word) mobile app for Apple and Android devices.

To learn more about hurricane preparedness and get summer health tips, visit bcbsla.com/Summer or watch Blue Cross’ short, animated video Get Health Ready for Hurricane Season (:33) for tips. Visit the State of Louisiana’s Get a Game Plan site for more information.

Visit the Blue Cross YouTube channel to see short videos on various health topics. Subscribe to know when new videos are added. You also can connect with Blue Cross on social media for regular updates. Blue Cross posts regularly on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.

Central Catholic will be closed Monday

Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:57am

All Catholic schools in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, including Morgan City's Central Catholic, will be closed on Monday, Aug. 30., due to the impending landfall this weekend of Hurricane Ida, and in alignment with civil authorities.

Catholic schools were to proceed Friday as a normal school day with our typical dismissal times, the diocese said.

Parents and students are to refer to their schools’ communication systems for additional information and any other scheduling changes.

School families should also continue to monitor the diocesan websites, social media and local news for additional information while monitoring the approaching storm.