According to USAFacts.org, a non-profit, nonpartisan civic initiative which provides vital statistics without a political agenda, Bienville Parish ranks high per capita in its number of attributed COVID-19 cases and deaths. The statistics were based on the patient’s parish of legal residence and not the parish in which he/she sought medical treatment. In a comparison with eleven surrounding parishes, Bienville was second only to Lincoln Parish in per capita COVID-19 cases. In real numbers, Bienville Parish has 1,598 reported cases in comparison to Lincoln Parish’s 4,218. Per capita, which is a percentage calculated by dividing the number of attributed cases by population, shows that while the actual number of cases may be low, Bienville Parish is faring less favorably than other surrounding parishes.
The number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the parish may seem low at 71. The real number, not per capita, of attributed deaths ranged from 36 (Red River Parish) to 675 (Caddo Parish), and Bienville Parish was exactly in the middle of the ranking. However, when compared on a per capita basis Bienville Parish is faring much worse than the other eleven parishes.
By this point, it seems that all of us know someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Many of us know someone whose death was attributed to the virus. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we can help protect ourselves and our loved ones from contracting the virus if we follow a few guidelines. The CDC guidelines suggest that we all wear masks in public, stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others who don’t live with us, avoid crowds, avoid poorly ventilated places, wash our hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily, monitor our health daily, and get vaccinated.
Sources:
1. USAFacts.org. “Louisiana Coronavirus Cases & Deaths by County.” Accessed February 28, 2021. https://usafacts.org/visualizations/coronavirus-covid-19-spread-map/state/louisiana.
2. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “Covid-19, How to Protect Yourself.” February 4, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html.