When the Franklinton High School girls basketball game vs. St. Scholastica Academy was cancelled last Friday evening because of COVID, it served as a reminder of how much the most recent surge of the pandemic has affected Washington Parish.
For many of the 1,419 parish residents infected with Omicron since January 3, the virus has not caused major problems. Many describe it as similar to a bad cold. Others who have tested positive report no symptoms at all.
But for some parish residents, Omicron has been severe and has resulted in hospitalization. Others who avoided hospitalization and are now longer testing positive may still be wheezing and coughing heavily.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the 1,419 Washington Parish residents who tested positive between Janaury 3 and January 16 represent a 26.3 positivity rate. That is, 26.3 percent of parish residents being tested for COVID were positive in the January 3-January 16 period.
Washington Parish’s positivity rate is similar to that of nearby St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parish.
Omicron is highly contagious, resulting in a high positivity rate statewide. It is many times more contagious than the previous variants of COVID.
Health officials continue to urge residents to get vaccinated, wear masks, and wash hands frequently. Those testing positive should isolate even if they are not showing symptoms.
In Louisiana, 66% of COVID deaths since December 30 were unvaccinated people, and 74% of current hospitalizations statewide are unvaccinated people.
