The Louisiana Department of Health reports 479 new COVID-19 cases and 12 additional deaths today, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Also, 213 Louisianans are hospitalized. State data indicates that the unvaccinated account for 82 percent of cases, 83percent of hospitalized patients, and 71 percent of deaths.
To date, Louisiana reports 772,789 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 14,826 COVID-related deaths.
In a COVID-19 press briefing today (Friday, Dec. 3), Gov. John Bel Edwards said that while omicron has not been detected in Louisiana yet, state officials are paying close attention to the omicron variant of the virus, and are cautioning residents to take precautions as the holiday season kicks into high gear.
“We want people to be aware and concerned but certainly not panicked,” Edwards said. He is urging residents to continue with mitigation measures as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, including mask-wearing, and hand-washing and continues to urge Louisianans to take the COVID-19 vaccine, including the booster shot for those who are now eligible.