The term "flattening the curve" has been used a lot during the COVID-19 outbreak. Governor John Bel Edwards has talked about it every time he has addressed the public. The measures put in place by the Governor, including closing Educational Facilities, closing casinos, shutting down Non-essential businesses, and issuing a stay at home order.

All of these efforts have been put in place in an attempt to reduce the influx of patients who will need hospitalization from the disease. It is also in an effort to reduce the amount of ICU beds and ventilators that would be needed at one specific time.

covid19.healthdata.org
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The "curve" is a metric based on modeling from medical experts, which is built on the data provided by the front-lines of hospitals. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, or (IHME) is an independent research center, focusing on health and medicine. They are based at the University of Washington, inside the first state in the US to be impacted by COVID-19.

According to their research, the "curve" in Louisiana will peak on April 10th, 2020. At that point, the projection says Louisiana will require 7,968 beds, and 1,208 ICU beds, both numbers that surpass what the state has available.

MORE TO EXPLORE: See the the COVID-19 stimulus bill broken down by the numbers

 

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