According to an Associated Press article, over 70 percent of the coronavirus related deaths reported in Louisiana are African American, and two-thirds of these victims were dealing with high blood pressure before they became ill. The latest information from the Louisiana Department of Health shows there are over 16,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state.

Governor John Bel Edwards discussed these statistics at a press conference on April 6 where he also shared progress the state has made combating the virus. He said his administration is trying to find ways to address the disparity in Covid-19 victims.