Lafayette Consolidated Government held a daily press briefing Wednesday afternoon on the COVID-19.
As of noon on April 1, the Louisiana Department of Health reported 1,187 additional cases since Tuesday, bringing the total to 6,424 positive cases. So far, 273 people have died.
Mayor-President Josh Guillory started the briefing announcing a second death in Lafayette Parish. He said the number of cases have increased in Lafayette Parish by 159.
The City is still waiting on results from about 40% of the test and still expect a continuing increase in cases and recorded deaths, according to Mayor-President Guillory.
"This is a sobering reminder that this virus is lethal and the situation is serious," said Guillory.
He asks residents to stand up to social pressures to attend events or engage in activities that violate the federal guidelines and state emergency declarations in place until April 30. "When you decline the invitations, please let your friends know why and encourage them to cancel these events," Guillory said. "It's completely up to us to determine how long this situation lasts. There is still a lot that we do not know about this virus, but the one thing we do know and is the more serious we take it, the sooner it will be over."
Anyone with personal protective equipment (PPE) can donate them at the Cajundome screening site between 8:30 am and 10:30 am or at a drop box at City Hall during business hours.
During the briefing, Guillory alerted the public to the Pay Check Protection Program. This helps small businesses, contractors, self-employed individuals and more. More information on how to apply is available by calling 311 and pressing 2. You will then speak to a LEDA business economic specialist.
There were 72 people screened at the Cajundome on Wednesday; 20 were screened out and 52 were tested. Testing will continue on Thursday from 8:30 to 10:30.
