New Orleans
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The annual summer surge of COVID-19 infections has begun in Louisiana, fueled by the spread of new variants.
Why it matters: People congregating indoors to avoid extreme heat and an extremely busy July 4 travel period are expected to drive up infections.
By the numbers: Cases were growing or likely growing in 39 states, including Louisiana, as of June 18, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
Read more about the strains and see the current numbers for Louisiana