The Louisiana Department of Health reported 6,797 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, the largest increase in daily cases since January.
"This update represents increases across all age groups and regions with the largest shares among 18 to 29 years olds and Region 2 (Baton Rouge)," LDH tweeted.
The total number of hospitalizations rose to 1,390 with 127 patients on ventilators. LDH also reported 20 new deaths.
"To see this current rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations is becoming increasingly scary,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “We reported nearly 6,800 cases today in addition to the nearly 8,000 that were reported from the weekend. And today, there are close to 1,400 COVID patients hospitalized statewide – approximately 90 percent of whom are unvaccinated."
Edwards urged all residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible and also asked they once again don masks while indoors, regardless of vaccination status, if unable to keep six feet of distance between them.
"For anyone asking the question when will this end, the answer is simple: when we decide to do what it takes to end it," said the Governor. "The most impactful tools to make that happen are free and widely available- the three safe and effective vaccines. I am pleading with everyone who is not vaccinated and is of age to make the decision today to get vaccinated.”
State health officer Dr. Joesph Kanter echoed the Governor's comments.
"To ultimately put this pandemic behind us we need many more Louisianans to go sleeves up, which is why it’s so encouraging to see our weekly vaccination rate climbing," said Kanter.
More information is available on the Louisiana Department of Health's COVID-19 dashboard.