Louisiana

LA usually updates its deaths by ethnicity values every two weeks on Wednesdays. However, as of 2/17, these values were last updated on 1/27. Has the update schedule changed? When should we expect an update? Also, does LA have any plans to report cases by ethnicity?

For the ethnicity data reported for deaths (https://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/4065) what should we be using for 100%? The note on the page says that the information is based on deaths where there is complete epidemiological data, but we don't know how many deaths that is. Would it be possible to include the number of deaths on the page?

Is the ethnicity data for cases available somewhere; we have not been able to find it.

Thank you.

The number of deaths on that chart is the total number of deaths in the state on the date that the data was updated so January 27. The total death toll that day was 8,688.

“Tests Performed” changed to “Tests Reported?”

Tests reported includes all the tests reported to the state either by our lab or commercial labs. Some negative tests from commercial labs may not be reported. I've attached an excel sheet of the tests by day by parish since the beginning of the pandemic here to August 12 in Louisiana.

How do you de-dupe?

We de-duplicate cases by automated and manual means. Using the excel sheet as an example: in Acadia Parish on March 16, there were 3 positive tests but there was only 1 case. Even if that 1 case accounted all of the positive tests the next day, that 1 person wouldn't be counted again as a case. On the next day when there is another case, that is a different person.

Is La. performing pool testing? Antigen testing?

"We're not performing pool testing nor antigen testing at this time."

Are there broken out numbers for positive cases vs. deaths in nursing homes/long-term care?

We update the number of cases and deaths at long-term care facility each Monday. Here is the document from this past Monday. The cases and deaths are broken down by staff and residents. Further updates will be posted here. http://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/3965

Does "tests completed" refer to people tested or specimens tested? Are antibody tests included in this figure, and if so does the state have plans to break them out?

Tests performed refers to the number of people tested. Duplicates are removed. Antibody tests are not included in that figure.

requested clarity on some weird numbers 4/19–4/25

He basically said that that period is just screwed up

We reached out to determine if "deaths reported” includes “probable deaths”.

Per LA DPH, the “probable” count on their dashboard is NOT included in the “deaths” count on their dashboard