HOUSTON, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Governor of the U.S. state of Louisiana John Bel Edwards on Tuesday extended the current Phase 2 coronavirus restrictions for another 21 days as COVID-19 metrics remain high in the state ahead of Christmas.
The decision to keep the modified Phase 2 restrictions in place means keeping 50 percent occupancy limits in place for the state's most businesses.
"It's clear we still have a lot of work to do," Edwards said during a press conference. According to Edwards, COVID-19 data of the state may be seeing a plateau of cases, but at a "very high level."
The governor said the COVID-19 positivity rate has dipped but asked people not to hold traditional large Christmas gatherings.
Official figures from the Louisiana Department of Health showed the state has over 290,000 confirmed cases so far and reported around 7,000 deaths. The state received 39,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine last week and was slated to receive over 100,000 doses this week.
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