Nation Death rate soars in New Orleans coronavirus ‘disaster’ that could define city for generations March 27, 2020March 27, 2020Rick Jervis, Maria Clark, Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAYComments Off on Death rate soars in New Orleans coronavirus ‘disaster’ that could define city for generations Throngs of revelers may have brought the coronavirus to New Orleans during Mardi Gras celebrations. The city's death tally climbed Thursday to 46.