Louisiana and Ohio became the latest states to announce statewide stay-at-home orders to take effect Monday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to social media posts from both governors. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said his state's order would go into effect at 11:59 PM Monday and last until April 6, and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced his state's order would go into effect 5 PM Monday and last until April 12. Edwards said confirmed cases of the virus “have topped 800 and spread to more than half of our parishes.” That number in Ohio is more than 350, with three resulting deaths, according to News 5 Cleveland. Twenty deaths resulting from COVID-19 have been reported in Louisiana, The New York Timesreported.
“In Louisiana we have taken aggressive measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve; however, this is not enough,” Edwards said. “As our number of cases continue to grow, I am directing all Louisianans to stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary for you to leave. I am implementing this measure to help prevent you from becoming infected or infecting someone else.” Similar orders were announced in California, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Oregon, according toUSA Today.