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Even as New Orleans continues to see a surge in COVID-19 cases tied to the highly contagious omicron variant, plans are set to resume parades and other events celebrated in the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras day, which lands March 1 this year. As of Jan. 18, the average number of daily cases was down to 400 compared to 1,200 a week earlier, according to data provided by New Orleans communication director Beau Tidwell during a press briefing. He added that there is no clear indication the current wave of cases has peaked and further stressed the importance of following health guidelines. (Clark, 1/19)

This will be the first time Mardi Gras will happen during a pandemic. Thousands of people are expected to crowd the streets once again throughout the month of February to celebrate. ... With that many visitors, as omicron continues to spread in the community, there is concern that it will spread more. We spoke with Dr. Rhinid Murphree with the Mobile County Health Department earlier this month about potential staffing shortages due to COVID-19. “We’re seeing staff shortages in all factors of life, in schools, in daycares, in nursing homes, in hospitals, in businesses and restaurants,” said Murphee. Murphee believes there is heightened risk for those working during the events. “We are really concerned about the safety of our first responders, including security,” said Murphee. (Schleisman, 1/9)

As the fifth wave of the coronavirus sweeps across Louisiana, the state passed a “sobering milestone” on Tuesday: more than a million residents have been diagnosed with the virus since the start of the pandemic 22 months ago. The threshold is largely symbolic, but it indicates how broadly the virus has spread since it was first detected in the state in March 2020. And the speed at which cases catapulted towards the seven-figure mark in recent weeks has further demonstrated the incredible transmissibility of the omicron variant sweeping across the globe. (Adelson, 1/18)

New Orleans public schools said Tuesday they were tracking 1,603 COVID-19 cases and 3,764 student and staff quarantines. The number of quarantines made for a 72% increase over the 2,192 reported quarantines last week. But the number of infections dropped 23% from last week's 2,233 active cases. (Warren, 1/18)

In other news about the spread of covid —

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has tested positive for COVID-19, his office said Wednesday. The communications staff at the attorney general's office told The Texas Tribune in an unsigned statement that Paxton had tested positive. "He remains working diligently for the people of Texas from home," the statement said. (Barragan, 1/19)

More than 2,000 employees of the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are at home sick or quarantining after testing positive for the coronavirus, officials said Wednesday. LAPD Det. Meghan Aguilar said that some 1,134 personnel out of 12,200 are currently at home, including 898 sworn officers. Those numbers are up 42% from the 803 personnel who were out Jan. 11. (Winton, 1/19)

In related news about covid and mental health —

As the COVID-19 pandemic has worn on, Samantha Gilligan is starting to see patients fall through the cracks. The nurse practitioner at the Seaport Community Health Center in Belfast is seeing patients who are struggling to afford healthy foods, or get to the doctor because their transportation has broken down. One woman with substance use problems she works with often relapses and stopped using medication during the pandemic after her car broke down. Those are the Mainers are at risk of their health getting worse as the pandemic wears on. The secondary effects of the pandemic have been well-documented, including increased mental health issues and record overdose deaths in 2021. Maine is at a crucial juncture to address the problems before they get worse, Gilligan said. (Andrews, 1/20)

For many of us, catching COVID and isolating at home can be a lonely, scary and distressing experience. For those with a pre-existing mental illness, it can be even more difficult. The following strategies are designed to help you look after your mental health if you get COVID and are isolating at home. (Stone, 1/18)

Like many New Yorkers, Domenica D’Ottavio contracted Covid-19 over the Christmas holidays. Her head clogged with congestion, her body ached; she coughed and spiked a fever. But she also had another surprising symptom: relief. “It was just a different feeling,” said Ms. D’Ottavio, who had been fully vaccinated and boosted before getting infected. “You don’t realize until it’s over that you’ve been walking around with a tiny bit of fear in the back of your mind.” (Blum, 1/19)