Public Health

Do not visit an emergency room simply to obtain a test if you have mild or no symptoms. Emergency rooms are for the seriously ill or people needing immediate medical attention.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued an Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer's Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets) - the first oral treatment for COVID-19.

Gov. John Bel Edwards has extended Louisiana's Public Health Emergency order related to COVID-19, including a provision allowing all state government agencies to require mask wearing, given the fast-spreading Omicron variant, which is now the dominant strain in the United States and Louisiana.

In light of this rapidly evolving situation and because we know families are traveling and gathering over the next two weeks, LDH is sharing updated public health guidance so that families can celebrate safely.

COVID-19 testing at all Louisiana Army National Guard (LANG) sites and parish health units will be paused on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Youth Ambassadors work with Louisiana's Teen Vax Campaign to promote the important role young people have in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and keeping their friends and family members from getting sick.

The Louisiana community-based monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment sites will temporarily close at various times during the holidays.

More than 2.29 million Louisianans - nearly 50 percent of the state's population - became fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the first year of vaccinations.

This brings the total number of Omicron cases in our state to 45 - 40 probable and 5 confirmed. The first confirmed Omicron case in Louisiana was identified on December 3.

To receive the booster dose, individuals must be at least six months past their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine series completion date.