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Most major COVID-19 statistical data categories are down from their daily averages in August, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

According to LDH statistics, in the month of August the state of Louisiana averaged 1,029.4 new cases per day, 30.6 new deaths per day, 1,192.4 hospitalizations per day, and 185.3 patients on ventilators per day.

Through Tuesday (Sept. 15), the state has averaged 627 new cases per day, 21.4 new deaths per day, 776.6 hospitalizations per day, and 118 patients on ventilators per day, in the month of September.

On Saturday, Sept. 12, the state of Louisiana moved to Phase Three of its re-opening plan. It had been in the stricter Phase Two from Friday, June 5, through Friday, Sept. 11.

On Tuesday, the LDH reported 426 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to 158,318. There were 26 new deaths reported, bringing the total to 5,108.

Tuesday’s report listed 667 COVID-19 patients in hospitals, and 99 patients on ventilators. On Aug. 31, there were 132 ventilators in use — every day in September has had a report of 132 or fewer. On Aug. 31, there were 881 hospitalizations.

The positivity rate for cases has remained small in September, as well. Every day so far in September has had a positivity rate of 7.2 percent or fewer (the federal benchmark for reopening is 10 percent).

Tuesday’s report listed 426 positive cases out of 12,659 tests — a positivity rate of just 3.4 percent.

As of Tuesday’s report, the statistics for Washington Parish were 1,571 total cases, 62 total deaths, and 19,668 tests.

The state was reporting 140,440 “presumed recovered cases,” as of Tuesday.

The LDH releases new statistics every day at noon, except for Saturdays. They can be found online at ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.