News

March 12, 2020 | From City of New Orleans

MAYOR CANTRELL UPDATES RESIDENTS ON RESPONSE TO COVID-19

NEW ORLEANS – Today, Mayor LaToya Cantrell updated residents on the City’s response to the COVID-19 emergency.


"By working with our local, state and federal partners we are continuing to be proactive in our response to the COVID-19 emergency. My administration is working directly with the state health department and the CDC as boots-on-the-ground to facilitate contact tracing, and we are convening committees to better coordinate input and connectivity with key stakeholder groups. Today we issued specific guidance as it relates to public gatherings, and convened a tele-conference to update more than 1,600 neighborhood association and community leaders. In addition, we continued our work with utility providers to ensure consistent service during this emergency," said Mayor Cantrell. "It is vital that our residents follow the lead of our safety and health leaders, observe all proper protocols, and continue to ensure that we are able to reach and serve our most vulnerable residents. Now is the time to be safe and be smart."

 

Mayor Cantrell also sent letters to Gov. John Bel Edwards, the Louisiana Department of Health and our Congressional delegation, advising them of our specific needs at this time.

 

RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED TO FOLLOW SAFETY PROTOCOLS

There are now 15 presumptive-positive COVID-19 cases in New Orleans, reported by the Louisiana Department of Health. There are currently a total of 19 cases of COVID-19 statewide. Mayor Cantrell urged residents to continue to use best practices when it comes to health and safety. Wash your hands often and for extended periods of time. Stay home if you are sick. Do not go to the hospital if not severely ill. If you are sick with cough, fever and shortness of breath, stay home, and call your doctor. If you do not have a doctor, call 1-855-523-2652. Text COVIDNOLA to 888777 for updates or visit ready.nola.gov. Residents are also reminded that 911 is for emergencies only. For non-life-threatening illnesses, call your doctor before going to an emergency room, which have been inundated with non-emergency visits over the past few days. For questions about COVID-19, call 211.

 

Today the City’s public health responders were joined by two representatives from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), focusing their efforts at Lambeth House, where several residents were tested as presumptive-positive.

 

MAYOR CANTRELL FORMALIZES COMMUNITY RESPONSE

As part of the ongoing engagement with community leaders, Mayor Cantrell hosted a conference call Thursday with more than 1,600 residents to further engage them on the City’s efforts. From there, the Mayor established committees and groups to gather information and report back to the Mayor to ensure a more holistic response to the emergency. Committees will include the following types of leaders: neighborhood, faith-based, hospitality/tourism, primary school, colleges/universities, housing/independent living, healthcare/CDC, boards and commissions, and non-profit.

 

Also, the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Office of Economic Development are working with local businesses to identify COVID-19-related impacts with uninsured losses, which would be the basis for a request for assistance to the State of Louisiana and the Small Business Administration.

 

NEW ORLEANS OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

 

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Events and Public Gatherings

The New Orleans area is seeing an increasing number of cases of COVID-19. The situation is developing rapidly, and we currently cannot predict what the impact will be. However, City agencies, businesses, and community organizations are encouraged to take steps to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Events and public gatherings, such as concerts, festivals, sporting events, and religious gatherings create environments where a virus can spread quickly among event workers, participants, and attendees. Depending on the status of the outbreak, we may need to modify, postpone, or cancel large events. This packet includes steps you can take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 at large events.

 

Read more here (link):

 

OFFICE OF UTILITIES ENSURING CONTINUED SERVICE

Today, the City of New Orleans announced that it is working with power, water and telecommunications utility providers to ensure efficient and uninterrupted service to residents, especially during the response to COVID-19. Mayor Cantrell's Office of Utilities is taking proactive steps to ensure that these essential utility services remain uninterrupted for residents, businesses and visitors, especially as they adjust their daily schedules to the emergency.

 

"The Mayor's Office is working with our utility providers to ensure that they have crisis-response plans in place, so that their employees are safe and service can be provided without interruption. It is also essential that these companies put in place policies that ensure ongoing access to essential services and not further disrupt our daily lives and ability to adequately respond to health-related issues," said Jonathan Rhodes, Director of the Office of Utilities. " We are also coordinating with telecommunication providers and technology experts to make sure that government services are not limited during the response, and to provide people with opportunities to access government remotely as needed."

 

Read more here.

 

ADDITIONAL UPDATES FROM CITY AGENCIES ON COVID-19 RESPONSE

 

Regional Transit Authority (RTA)

 

RTA issued the following statement regarding COVID-19 response:

 

“Currently, RTA does not expect changes to any bus, streetcar, ferry, or paratransit service levels. As the COVID-19 situation continues to develop in Orleans Parish, RTA is developing contingency plans that include adjusted service levels and routes. All service updates will be provided via the RTA website and social channels. 

 

“The agency remains committed to the safety of our riders and has implemented additional disinfecting methods when cleaning the vehicle fleet. Our regular cleaning process includes; trash removal, sweeping and mopping of vehicle floors, and wiping down passenger and driver areas with a disinfectant solution. The agency is enhancing the daily cleaning process to include an additional disinfectant that is sprayed to deter the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The additional cleaning process is designed to disinfect high touch areas, including all railings, seating, operator area, and fareboxes. 

 

“The agency will continue to clean and disinfect all vehicles within the fleet. This includes all buses, streetcars, ferries, and paratransit vehicles. Each vehicle is cleaned daily with a deep cleaning occurring every 48-72 hours. A log is maintained of all vehicles cleaned and updated daily. 

 

“For more information regarding RTA’s COVID-19 plans, service levels, and service adjustments, please visit www.RTAforward.org or call Rideline at (504) 248-3900.”

 

Criminal District Court

 

Criminal District Court (CDC) has issued the following updated notice regarding jurors:

 

"Potential jurors scheduled to appear for Juror Empanelment on tomorrow, Friday, March 13, 2020, are strongly encouraged to qualify online. JURORS ARE NOT TO REPORT TO THE COURTHOUSE. Upon completion of the online form, a schedule, along with parking instructions, will be mailed to the address you have provided. Should jurors have any questions or concerns, please contact the Jury Commission at 504.658.9200."

 

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

 

NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS)

 

NOLA-PS sent the following update:

 

“NOLA Public Schools’ first priority as a district is to maintain the health, safety, and well-being of our students, teachers and staff. Amid rising concerns about COVID-19 in New Orleans, the District is actively coordinating with schools and city officials to ensure we have the latest information and best guidance to disseminate to our school community.

 

“At this time, our schools will remain open to serve students. Currently there are no reported cases of COVID-19 in any NOLA public school, but we know this status can change quickly. We are in constant communication with school leaders to monitor the situation and respond appropriately.

 

“Additionally, the Orleans Parish School Board earlier today declared that a public emergency exists for the city's schools ahead of any viable COVID-19 threat to the school district. The declaration allows NOLA-PS staff to more swiftly procure emergency supplies and resources to support schools as they implement emergency plans.”

 

Colleges & Universities

 

Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) announces, beginning Monday, March 23, classes will be implemented remotely until the end of the semester. For more up-to-date information, please visit SUNO's website here.

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