Originally published on December 16, 2020 6:23 pm Orleans Parish’s COVID-19 percent positivity rate has dropped from 5.2 percent last week to 4.7 percent this week. That means no reinstated restrictions, and New Orleanians can continue to sit inside bars at 25 percent capacity. Last week, New Orleans Director of Health Dr. Jennifer Avegno warned residents that if the percent positivity remained above 5 percent as of Dec. 16, when the state published new data, the city would be forced to ban indoor service at bars and reduce indoor events to 25 people or less. At a press conference Wednesday, Avegno and Mayor LaToya Cantrell thanked residents for heeding city officials' warnings.