Dr. Keith Scott spoke with KTBS about the recent spike in COVID-19 cases and whether wearing a mask really helps.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic and stay at home orders, alcohol sales surged. Dr. Nicholas Goeders was on Red River Radio's Health Matters June 25 to talk about how the pandemic has affected alcohol and substance abuse addictions.

There are more than 7,500 positive cases; more than those in the 60 to 69 age range, where there are close to 6,900 cases. LSUHS Chancellor Dr. G.E. Ghali said it could be due to more testing. But he says this age group is also less likely to practice social distancing.

Girlology wants to help your family avoid COVID 19 this Summer with practical tips from LSUHS Pediatric Infectious Disease expert Dr. John Vanchiere (AKA: Dr. Germ).

Rick Rowe, KTBS-3 News, talks to EVT Lab scientists and researchers at LSUHS about the work they are doing that is saving lives.

"The stress and fear associated with the COVID-19 pandemic will result in unprecedented increases in drug and alcohol use among our friends, our families and others in our communities," states Dr. Goeders, Executive Director of the Louisiana Addiction Research Center.

"The funding provided by the Committee of One Hundred is essential for the EVT Lab to continue the costly endeavor of conducting antibody/serology testing, making testing kits, and processing of COVID-19 tests,” shared Dr. G.E. Ghali.

The Lions Club District 8L received a grant from the Lions Club International Foundation that has resulted in a donation to the Emerging Viral Threat (EVT) Lab at LSU Health Shreveport.

"As a result of a lot of sacrifice by our community, including importantly the business sector, the number of new cases, hospitalizations and patients needing (help) for COVID-19 is declining," shared Chancellor Ghali.

The LSU Health Shreveport Foundation has received a $10,000 gift from the U.L. Coleman Companies to support the effort to provide COVID-19 testing to first responders in north Louisiana.