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Coronavirus cases in Louisiana have spread faster in the first two weeks of the state's outbreak than they have in other states and countries across the world, according to an analysis by University of Louisiana at Lafayette Professor Gary Wagner.

Wagner found the increase in Louisiana coronavirus cases over 13 days placed the state on a trajectory for infections ahead of Italy and Spain, some of the hardest hit countries by the virus with the greatest number of cases and deaths.

On Tuesday, Louisiana reported 216 new cases, bring the total caseload to 1,388 with 46 reported deaths.

Wagner found that coronavirus cases in the state grew at an average of 73.9% a day in the 13 days since the state's first case was found two weeks ago, putting it above New York state, which accounts for about half of the country's confirmed cases.

“If you look at the trajectory that we are on, and you go back and look at where Italy and Spain were at the same point in time that we are, we’re on a higher trajectory,” Wagner said. “You look at where we are compared to where New York state was when they were at the same point in time, we’re on a higher trajectory than New York state.”

Data from Johns Hopkins University showed that Louisiana's overall death toll of 34 from the virus was fourth in the country behind New York, Washington and California.

Governor John Bel Edwards cited the exponential growth in positive cases as the reason he issued his stay-at-home order starting Monday.

Louisiana reported one positive case two weeks ago, and as of Monday reported 1,172 cases. The number of cases in Louisiana is the third highest in per capita reported in the U.S., behind only New York and Washington states.

Edwards, in a CNN interview Monday night, said he is concerned that Louisiana’s coronavirus cases could spread as quickly as the virus spread throughout Italy and Spain, where the number of infections and deaths have spiked.

“We know that the growth in trajectory of cases has us right where Spain and Italy were, for example,” Edwards said.

“I can’t tell you why, but we’re quite certain that it’s true,” Edwards said in his CNN interview, adding later, “I will tell you we were quite frankly surprised by the growth rate.”

“We have to start flattening the curve soon here so that we extend the duration of this event over a longer period of time and don’t have too many people infected all at the same time presenting to the hospital where we will overwhelm our capacity to deliver health care,” Edwards said.

“We have to do it now,” he said. “We don’t have any time to wait. We have to bend that curve. Otherwise we’re going to be in real trouble in delivering health care around the state of Louisiana, and first and foremost down in the New Orleans area.”

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Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards today announced 407 more cases of coronavirus and another 19 deaths in the state.

That brings the number of deaths to 65 and the total positive tests to nearly 1,800.

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A Louisiana pastor is apparently defying the governor's order against gatherings of more than 50 people by hosting over 1,000 churchgoers at a service Sunday and bringing together hundreds at another service Tuesday, according to the pastor and local media.

The pastor, Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Baton Rouge, said he does not believe his congregation is at risk of getting COVID-19, the disease associated with the coronavirus, according to CBS affiliate WAFB.

"It’s not a concern," Spell told the outlet. "The virus, we believe, is politically motivated. We hold our religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what someone says."

Spell said 1,170 attended his service Sunday, according to WAFB.

"We have 27 buses on Sundays picking up people in a five-parish area," he said.

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"The virus, we believe, is politically motivated"

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In Thursday's announcement on Instagram, Brees said, "After considerable research and conversations with local organizations, we will be mobilizing our partnerships with Second Harvest Food Bank, Ochsner Health Systems, Walk-Ons, Jimmy Johns, Smalls Sliders and Waitr to prepare and deliver over 10,000 meals per day throughout Louisiana for as long as it takes to children on meal programs, seniors, and families in need. Let's all do our part, maintain hope, and get through this together."

Drew and Brittany Brees are owners or investors in the restaurant chains and food delivery service he mentioned in his post. They have been heavily involved in the New Orleans and Gulf South communities through their Brees Dream Foundation since Brees joined the Saints in 2006 -- providing instrumental help in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Last week, New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson also made a personal donation of $1 million to create the Gayle Benson Community Assistance Fund, among other endeavors.

And Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson pledged to cover the salaries of Smoothie King Center workers for 30 days while the NBA season was suspended.

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Throngs of revelers may have brought the coronavirus to New Orleans during Mardi Gras celebrations here.

But the city’s poverty rate, lack of healthcare and affordable housing, and high rates of residents with preexisting medical conditions may be driving its explosive growth and could make it the next U.S. epicenter of the outbreak.

The number of known coronavirus cases in Louisiana jumped to 2,305 on Thursday, an increase of 510 cases from Wednesday, and a total of 83 deaths, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. Nearly half of Louisiana's cases -- 997 -- came from New Orleans.