Post-Mardi Gras respiratory spike, plus major New Orleans hospital and coverage updates

New Orleans health leaders are moving quickly from Carnival crowds to practical, near-term planning: tracking a late-February rise in respiratory illness, expanding hospital capacity for fragile newborns, and modernizing staffing tools meant to keep inpatient units covered.

Respiratory viruses: post-Mardi Gras uptick

New Orleans-area physicians told WDSU that clinics are seeing more patients with fever, cough, congestion and sore throat in the days after Mardi Gras. Doctors cited multiple respiratory viruses circulating at the same time, including influenza, COVID-19 and RSV, a mix that can raise the risk of missed work and, for some patients, hospitalization.

Clinicians interviewed by WDSU emphasized common-sense steps that reduce spread during a surge: staying home when sick, limiting close contact when symptoms start, and seeking medical evaluation promptly when symptoms are severe or when a patient is at higher risk for complications.

Hospital updates: capacity and staffing

Manning Family Children’s plans a larger Level 4 NICU

Manning Family Children’s (LCMC Health) announced plans to build a new 60-bed Level 4 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at its New Orleans campus, expanding the main-campus unit from 35 to 60 beds. The hospital said the project is designed to increase capacity for critically ill newborns and to anchor a broader regional neonatology network across LCMC Health birthing hospitals and affiliate partners.

Ochsner expands a system-wide scheduling platform

Ochsner Health reported a system-wide launch of M7 Health’s workforce management platform across its inpatient hospital campuses. Ochsner said the tool is intended to streamline scheduling and staffing decisions for frontline teams, with the health system reporting high monthly usage among clinical staff and fewer unfilled shifts after deployment.

Health insurance: Medicaid plan change still approaching

Separately, the Louisiana Department of Health continues to post guidance for Medicaid members affected by the planned exit of UnitedHealthcare from the state’s Medicaid managed care program. LDH’s guidance says UnitedHealthcare coverage continues through March 31, 2026, with members moving to a new plan on April 1, 2026. The state’s Healthy Louisiana enrollment resources remain available online for members who need to review options and plan networks.

Sources

https://www.wdsu.com/article/doctors-see-spike-in-patients-experiencing-respiratory-illnesses-after-mardi-gras/70449124
https://www.manningchildrens.org/news-blog/2026/february/manning-family-children-s-announces-expansion-pl/
https://news.ochsner.org/news-releases/ochsner-health-announces-system-wide-launch-of-m7s-workforce-management-platform-to-improve-staffing-efficiency/
https://www.ldh.la.gov/medicaid/medicaid2026
https://www.myplan.healthy.la.gov/