Infections climb throughout state

The number of reported COVID19 cases in Louisiana took another large oneday jump, increasing by more than 1,300 as the number of people hospitalized with the disease caused by the new coronavirus continued upward.

The state on Friday reported a total of 54,769 confirmed cases. The death toll was 3,077, up by 26 from Thursday.

Some of the growth in known case numbers can be attributed to increased testing. However, the number of people sick enough to be hospitalized — considered a key indicator that the virus is spreading — went up to 700. The figure is down from nearly 2,000 in April but up from a low of 542 on June 13.

The increasing numbers led Gov. John Bel Edwards last week to delay plans to further lift restrictions on public gatherings and some business activity. Edwards has promised stepped up enforcement on businesses that aren’t complying with restrictions on capacity and requirements that employees dealing with the public wear masks.