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December showed a continuing surge in COVID-19 infections in St. John Parish with 564 new cases being reported, our second highest monthly total since the local epidemic began back in March.Our previous high was 616 cases back in April. This new figure compares to 329 cases in November and only 67 cases in October. Amazingly, we have recorded only four COVID-related deaths in December despite the tremendous surge in new cases.This large spike in cases follows the trend of increased cases in our state and the rest of the country, and is thought to be due to a
combination of cold weather along with traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday social gatherings which allowed for faster spread of the virus. We need to
continue to wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid large gatherings in the near future.The rollout of vaccines in December gives us hope and promise that we truly will be able to control the spread of this highly contagious virus. However, it will take time to distribute the vaccine and coordinate the logistics of administering it to our population of roughly 350 million people. Locally the State of Louisiana will distribute and administer the vaccine in stages, starting with the elderly and nursing home population along with front line medical personnel and firefighters, police and other first responders.Everyone who wishes to receive the vaccine should pay close attention to media announcements from the state in the coming months.