How many children have died in this latest surge of COVID-19 in Louisiana?

Thirteen children have died from COVID-19 in Louisiana, with five of those deaths occurring during this fourth surge, according to the state Department of Health and Hospitals.

Two of those children were lost in the last week. One of the children was under the age of 4 while the other was between 12-17.

“Any life lost to COVID-19 is a tragedy, but the loss of a child is profoundly heartbreaking,” State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter said. “To best protect our young children who are not eligible to get the vaccine, as well as ourselves and our loved ones, we can do two simple things: get the vaccine and wear a mask.”

Officials say the fourth surge in the state is driven largely by the “stronger, more contagious” delta variant.

 

Football forfeits

Why do our local high school football teams have to eat a forfeit if they find themselves in a COVID-related quarantine? Why can’t the game just be rescheduled?

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association implemented stricter rules and forfeits for teams that find themselves with COVID-19 issues this school year.

Executive Director Eddie Bonine said if a team cannot play because of COVID, that team will forfeit the game, giving the opponent a win. Last season, the game was a no contest.

Bonine said the rule change was due to reports of teams using the no-contest rule to manipulate their power ranking and playoff position.

“We had, unfortunately, individual schools that were trying to manipulate the season and their schedule, using COVID as a reason to do so,” Bonine said. “The bottom line is the superintendents wanted something that was cut and dry.”

Bonine said the new rule also eliminates the musical-chairs schedule that teams had to play to find a last-minute replacement opponent.

Flag retirements

Two of our American Press readers reached out to let us know there is a 24-hour drop box available at the Calcasieu Area Council Boy Scouts of America office at 304 Dr. Debakey Drive in which American flags are collected for retirement.

The Boy Scouts will perform flag retirement ceremonies several times a year.

Informer is written by Crystal Stevenson, American Press executive editor. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.