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Gov. John Bel Edwards has resisted predicting how and how soon his COVID-19 precaution orders will be eased to allow more commerce. Finally Tuesday, a reporter made a partial breakthrough with a question.

Edwards said he doesn't like to bet, but "I'd bet a dollar that on May 1 we'll be under a different order than we're under now."

He wasn't clear about what that might be, or what shape Louisiana's personal and business interactions will take next month. The administration is working on that "around the clock, more or less," Edwards said.

"I don't want to give people the unrealistic expectation that when the stay at home order goes away, whether that happens May 1 or not, all of a sudden we'll be free to do what we were doing before this public health emergency came about," Edwards said. "That's not going to be the case."

A few hours before he spoke Tuesday, the Office of Public Health reported 331 new COVID-19 positives statewide, continuing a downward trend in the disease's spread. But 77 deaths were reported, pushing the number of fatalities over 1,400.

Those numbers are important in determining whether Louisiana can move into Phase One of the Trump administration's guidelines for reopening the economy. Phase One eases restrictions on nonessential travel and allows in-restaurant dining, open movie theaters and going back to the gym again. But the easing comes with requirements for social distancing and testing.

To move into Phase One, states must show a downward trend in COVID-19 and other flu-like illnesses for two weeks and beef up testing.

The Edwards administration took a small step in that direction Monday by announcing that hospitals and other health facilities can resume non-emergency medical and dental procedures beginning April 27. The procedures would be limited to those performed to prevent larger health problems. The providers also have to take social distancing precautions, test staff members and have a five-day supply of personal protective equipment.

The move isn't fast enough for protesters who, like others across the country, have shown up at state capitols to demand a reopening of the economy.

Edwards said he hasn't seen the protests or talked to the protesters.

"I understand they're rather political in nature," Edwards said. "I would want to make sure they understand that we're doing the things we've been advised to do by the president and by the vice president.

"I really don't need protesters to tell me we need to open up the economy as fast as possible. I get it."

Also Tuesday:

--Edwards said Louisiana has received 800 gallons of hand sanitizer from BASF and 25,000 KN95 mask and 200 thermometers from Facebook. Popeyes has agreed to provide 1 million meals for families served by the Second Harvest Food Bank.

--Edwards said a deal reached in Congress would authorize another $321 billion in Paycheck Protection Program funding, which ran out of money last week. It also includes $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for testing, $11 billion of which will go to the states.

--A reporter asked Edwards how he deals with COVID-19 related stress. He answered that the people who really are under stress are medical professionals.

But "I planted a vegetable garden that I tend a little every day," Edwards said.He said he plans to get more exercise, too, a job he's been neglecting.

People who feel they need help coping with COVID-19-related stress can get free counseling at 1-866-310-7977.

Two COVID-19 deaths that have yet to be reported in the Louisiana Office of Public Health daily totals raised St. Mary's death toll to 18, all in the last 13 days, Coroner Eric Melancon said in a text message Tuesday afternoon.

"State is a little behind because we had 2 in the last 24 hours," Melancon wrote.

The Coroner's Office has fielded 20 death reports in the last seven days, and 11 are COVID-19-related.

Across the parish, "it seems to be worsening but I expected an uptick due to the Easter Holiday and lack of compliance with social distancing," Melancon wrote.

Eight of the parish's COVID-19 deaths were among residents of the Legacy nursing facility in Franklin, where 31 residents had tested positive for the virus as of Monday, Melancon wrote.

Melancon said that contrary to rumor, the virus was carried into Legacy of Franklin by an employee who was not showing symptoms of COVID-19.

"We are still working on containment efforts but the facility is running short on PPE and staff," Melancon said. "Homeland Security as well as others are working to meet their needs as well as the needs of EMS and First Responders.

"I ask that people remain steadfast in their commitment to social distancing, hand washing, and Governor Edwards' 'stay at home' order.

"We will continue to work with local and parish officials with direction from the Department of Health and Governor Edwards ... to ensure the safety of the residents of SMP."

Four more COVID-19 positives reported by the OPH Tuesday to bring the total to 160 in St. Mary after 635 tests.

No new COVID-19 positives were reported in St. Martin, where the count remains at 193 after 713 tests. But another St. Martin death was reported, bringing that total to 13.

Five new COVID-19 cases were reported for Assumption after 194 tests. The death toll remained at one.

Statewide, the number of new cases Tuesday was a relatively low 331 for a total of 24,854 after more than 150,000 tests since the pandemic reached Louisiana. But another 77 deaths were reported Tuesday, pushing that total to 1,405. Four more people were hospitalized, raising the total to 1,798, while the number of people on ventilators fell five to 297.

Gov. John Bel Edwards' daily press briefings have recently included a caution that because the big majority of Louisiana COVID-19 tests are now performed by commercial labs, results tend to be reported more slowly over the weekend and on Mondays. Because of the lag between tests and the reporting of results, the numbers in the OPH daily reports may reflect positives and deaths that happened days earlier.

The number of statewide deaths reported Tuesday has been corrected.

Submitted Photo
IberiaBank is pledging $500,000 to local food banks. In Acadiana, the Bank is pledging a total of $35,000 to FoodNet Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank, Solomon House Food Bank and Disch-DeClouet Social Service Center, which collectively will provide support to food pantries across the region. The Iberia Bank associates shown are, from left: Catherine Olivier, Kim Ledet, Valencia Goodly, Krystal Lewis and Bailey Patin.

MEMORIAL DAY
Berwick Historical Society and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4222 and Auxiliary will honor local fallen veterans by placing flags on grave sites at the Berwick cemetery at 9 a.m. May 11 in observance of Memorial Day, May 25.