2020 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 76
BY SENATOR BARROW
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to collect data regarding the age,
race, and gender of Louisiana residents who are impacted by the COVID-19
pandemic or any future public health emergency.
WHEREAS, a novel coronavirus named "coronavirus disease 2019", commonly
referred to as COVID-19, was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province China, in
December of 2019; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that has a broad range of symptoms
from mild, flu-like symptoms to severe breathing difficulties that result in death; and
WHEREAS, the first confirmed instance of person-to-person spread of the virus in
the United States was recorded on January 30, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on the same day the World Health Organization declared the outbreak
"a public health emergency of international concern"; and
WHEREAS, the rapid spread of COVID-19 lead the World Health Organization to
upgrade its declaration to a "global pandemic" on March 11, 2020; and
WHEREAS, since the first presumptive case relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in
Louisiana was announced on March 9, 2020, cases have been confirmed in all sixty-four
parishes of the state, and Governor John Bel Edwards has issued multiple proclamations and
orders aimed at preventing and reducing the spread of the virus; and
WHEREAS, the impact of the coronavirus in Louisiana is widespread and ongoing,
with both immediate and potentially long-term risk to the life, health, and well-being of all
Louisiana residents; and
WHEREAS, throughout this time, the Louisiana Department of Health has tracked
and updated on a daily basis the number of confirmed cases in the state, as well as the
number of COVID-19-related deaths, and the number of tests performed and completed; and
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WHEREAS, state leaders require adequate data to determine if the impact of a public
health emergency has not fallen equitably among Louisianians but has created a
disproportionate burden among certain populations.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to collect data from
reporting health care providers or other persons regarding the age, race, and gender of
Louisiana residents who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or any future public
health emergency.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall notify all Louisiana-
licensed health care providers to submit demographic data to include race, age, and gender
to the department for all of their patients who are Louisiana residents and test positive for
COVID-19 in accordance with the provisions of this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that health care providers are urged to be responsive
to the department and submit the requested demographic data including race, age, and
gender to the department for all of their patients who are Louisiana residents and test
positive for COVID-19.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon collecting a complete data set, the
department shall establish and maintain on its internet website a link to this data that is easily
accessible by the public.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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