WRKF

Paul Braun

Capitol Reporter

Paul Braun is WRKF's reporter for Capitol Access, our series of reporting on state politics, government, and the people shaping Louisiana's state policy.

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Gov. Edwards: 'Our Trajectory Is Basically The Same As What They Had In Italy'

By • Mar 19, 2020
Ashley Dean / WWNO

Gov. John Bel Edwards says the state’s health care system could be overwhelmed by the coronavirus in as little as one week without intervention by the federal government.

'The Monster Behind The Watermark': How A Slow Leak Of COVID-19 Diagnoses Could Turn Into A Torrent

By • Mar 19, 2020
Paul Braun / WRKF

Coronavirus may have taken root in New Orleans, but now it is branching out across the state. East Baton Rouge Parish and Ascension got their first cases earlier this week. 

Reporter Paul Braun spoke with Dr. Catherine O’Neal, Chief Medical Officer and infectious disease specialist for Our Lady of the Lake, about how hospitals in the capital region are preparing.

Gov. Edwards Expects COVID-19 Cases To Soar With More Testing

By & Person: Ally Kadlubar • Mar 18, 2020

Gov. John Bel Edwards told Louisiana residents to expect a spike in COVID-19 cases in the next 24 to 36 hours as state testing capacity increases and a wave of more than 1,000 commercial test results are returned.

Edwards announced that the state now has 257 COVID-19 cases and the death of two more residents of the Lambeth House retirement community in New Orleans. He later announced the death of a Jefferson Parish resident, bringing the death toll in the state to seven.

Louisiana Considers Early Release Of Some Inmates Among Measures To Reduce COVID-19 Outbreak

By • Mar 17, 2020
Courtesy: The Rouge Collection

Louisiana is taking steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus in state prisons and jails.

On Tuesday, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux announced strict visitation limits at the parish jail, in the latest effort to limit the spread of coronavirus among vulnerable populations. District Attorney Hillar Moore, meanwhile, said his office is looking into ways to reduce the jail population while balancing considerations of public health and public safety.

Louisiana Lawmakers Vote To Adjourn Until March 31

By • Mar 17, 2020
Paul Braun / WRKF

Just one week into the 2020 Regular Session, Louisiana lawmakers voted to adjourn until the end of the month over growing concerns about the spread of coronavirus in the state.

Louisiana's First Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Clinic Opens In Baton Rouge

By • Mar 16, 2020
Paul Braun / WRKF

By Ally Kadlubar and Paul Braun

Louisiana’s first drive-through coronavirus testing clinic is now open at Baton Rouge General’s Mid-City Campus, as of 1 p.m. Monday.

State Will Limit Visitation At Nursing Homes, Prisons And Jails For 30 Days

By • Mar 12, 2020
Paul Braun / WRKF

Gov. John Bel Edwards said the state will be limiting visitation in nursing homes, prisons and jails over the next 30 days to curtail the spread of coronavirus among at risk populations.

Edwards’ announcement came in a joint press conference with U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams Thursday morning.

Louisiana Department Of Health Will Brief Legislature On Coronavirus Response

By • Mar 10, 2020
ALISSA ECKHERT, DAN HIGGINS, MAM / CDC

The number of people infected with coronavirus in Louisiana continues to rise. 

State health officials identified multiple cases on Tuesday, one day after the first case was detected in the state.

First Case of Coronavirus Reported in Louisiana

By , & • Mar 10, 2020

Updated: 7:01 p.m.

The Louisiana Department of Health has reported the state's first "presumptive positive" case of COVID-19, commonly referred to as coronavirus, according to the office of the governor. 

First Case of Coronavirus Reported in Louisiana

By & Person: Betsy Shepherd & Person: Travis Lux • Mar 9, 2020
Alissa Eckhert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM / CDC

The Louisiana Department of Health has reported the state's first "presumptive positive" case of COVID-19, commonly referred to as coronavirus, according to the office of the governor. 

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