A man walks by the closed Tropical Isle Bar on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Tuesday, July 14, 2020.
Louisiana had been an international hot spot for the new coronavirus in March, and New Orleans was its focal point.
A gradual easing of restrictions began in May, culminating with Mayor LaToya Cantrell's decision to let New Orleans bars reopen, albeit at only 25% capacity, on June 13.
Since the start of the crisis, Louisiana has identified at least 36 outbreaks, affecting at least 405 people, involving bars," Edwards office said in a Saturday news release.
Statewide hospitalizations were at 1,300 and trending sharply upward, according to figures the state health department released Monday.