on March 9, 2020. Since the first confirmed case, the outbreak grew particularly fast relative to other states and countries. Confirmed cases have appeared in all 64 parishes, though the New Orleans metro area alone has seen the majority of positive tests and deaths. Governor John Bel Edwards closed schools statewide on March 16, 2020, restricted most businesses to takeout and delivery only, postponed presidential primaries, and placed limitations on large gatherings. On March 23, Edwards enacted a statewide stay-at-home order to encourage social distancing, and President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration, the fourth state to receive one. The rapid spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana likely originated in late February 2020 when the virus was introduced into the state via domestic travel, originating from a single source. The virus was already present in New Orleans before Mardi Gras; however, it is likely that the festival accelerated the spread. Numerous "clusters" of confirmed cases have appeared at nursing homes across southern Louisiana, including an outbreak at Lambeth House in New Orleans that has infected over fifty and killed thirteen elderly residents as of March 30. As the state has increased its capacity for testing, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette study estimated the growth rate in Louisiana was among the highest in the world, prompting serious concerns about the state's healthcare capacity to care for sick patients. On March 24, only 29% of ICU beds were vacant statewide, and Edwards announced coronavirus patients would likely overwhelm hospitals in New Orleans by April 4. On August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana, passing through New Orleans on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. A citywide power outage and significant damage was reported. The post-Katrina levee system successfully defended the city, but some suburbs without levees or where levees were still under construction flooded. See also African Americans in Louisiana History of slavery in Louisiana Louisiana (New France) French colonization of the Americas French colonial empire Louisiana (New Spain) Acadiana Expulsion of the Acadians History of the Southern United States Black Belt in the American South Deep South List of governors of Louisiana List of Louisiana state historic sites List of National Historic Landmarks in Louisiana Timeline of Baton Rouge Timeline of New Orleans Timeline of Louisiana References Further reading Surveys Allain, Mathe. Louisiana Literature and Literary Figures (2004) Baker, Vaughan B. Visions and Revisions: Perspectives on Louisiana Society