At Louisiana's largest hospital in Baton Rogue, staff are busy reorganizing a ward for new covid patients. 

-We are more busy than ever with covid.

Our hospital is strained to the breaking point and there is a shortage of doctors and nurses, says intensive care physician James Vermaeleon at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital

More younger patients

Louisiana currently has the highest number of confirmed cases during the entire pandemic and the number of hospitalized patients has more than doubled in two weeks.  

-We see more younger patients than before and almost everyone who is admitted is unvaccinated, says James Vermaeleon. 

According to the doctor, there is no doubt that the serious situation is related to the state's low proportion of vaccinated.

"Immoral and un-American"

Louisiana has become a symbol of widespread vaccine resistance in the deep south.

Among other things, because of the evangelical pastor Tony Spell in Baton Rogue, who praises vaccine resistance in his sermons.  

- We are against the vaccine.

It is immoral, unchristian and it is definitely un-American, says Pastor Tony Spell when SVT visits his church. 

He has been arrested 33 times for arranging services that defy the ban on public gatherings during the pandemic.

He believes that corona restrictions are a conspiracy to restrict Americans' freedom. 

- Only religion can protect us from tyranny.

I refuse to wear a mask and get vaccinated, says Tony Spell.  

- If someone in your parish were to become infected and die of covid because he or she is not vaccinated, then what is your responsibility? 

- It is every person's choice.

I have an influence.

But I am more worried that people will die from the vaccine than from the virus, says Tony Spell. 

Biden increases the pressure

The Biden administration has increased the pressure on Americans to get vaccinated.

Both by offering $ 100 but also by stricter requirements for vaccination for public employees. 

The increased spread of infection has temporarily increased the willingness to get vaccinated in hard-hit states like Louisiana, reports the New York Times. 

But Pastor Tony Spell does not believe that vaccine resistance will slow down. 

- It's about freedom. It is better to die free than to live as an oppressed person, says Pastor Tony Spell.