A Louisiana resident has tested positive for the new coronavirus and is in a New Orleans hospital, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday.
Edwards said the patient is a resident of Jefferson Parish, just outside New Orleans.
The patient’s positive test results are to be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for final confirmation.
Edwards told lawmakers about the case Monday afternoon as Louisiana’s legislative session opened. He said people “must take action individually” to help prevent the spread of the virus. But he also urged calm.
“Now is the time for seriousness. There is no place for panic or hysteria,” the Democratic governor told a joint gathering of the House and Senate.
Edwards also planned an afternoon news conference with health officials to discuss the state’s response and preparedness efforts.
Edwards’ news release said the state Office of Public Health’s epidemiology team will begin an investigation of people who have come in close contact with the patient, including health care workers, to determine the risk of spread.
“While today is the first time that we can confirm that we have a presumptive positive coronavirus case, Louisiana has been preparing for this moment for many weeks,” Edwards said in his news release.
“The CDC still believes the risk to the general public is low, but we will work quickly and decisively to assess the risk to those around this patient,” he added.
