Coronavirus: Cases Top 500 As RI Nears 1,000 Tests Per Day

PROVIDENCE, RI — Exactly one month into Rhode Island's coronavirus response effort, the state continues to prepare for the inevitable surge in cases. On Wednesday, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced two additional deaths from the virus, bringing the state's total to 10. The total number of cases in the state is now 566, with 77 additional cases.

"I don't know about you, but the beginning of last month feels like it was a year ago," Raimondo said.

The state will be at the capacity to test up to 1,000 people per day starting Thursday, Raimondo said, an important threshold to begin to be able to reopen the state's economy.

"In order for me to reopen the economy, we need testing, contact tracing and quarantining to be effective," Raimondo said, adding that there are dedicated teams of workers to address each of these issues.

There are currently six testing sites in the state, three of which are drive-through sites, and six labs for processing swabs. Primary care providers are encouraged to make appointments for patients who need testing, as the state is ramping up its testing capacity.

"We are completing 500 tests a day, which puts us on par with Massachusetts, and other states," Raimondo said. "By tomorrow we'll be at our goal of 1,000-test capacity."

Once the thousand-test threshold is crossed, the next goal is same-day testing, Raimondo continued.

"Soon, in a week or two, in a week or so, I would like to have here in Rhode Island same-day testing available. That's where we're going," she said.

New on Wednesday, the governor announced a state-run grocery delivery service to ensure that people in quarantine can get the supplies they need without leaving their homes. RI Delivers is a partnership between the state and Roch's Market, a Rhode island-based supermarket. The initiative's website offers a variety of options for grocery deliveries and programs, and anyone with questions can call 211 for further assistance.

In addition, the state has launched a new program to help small business owners, who are some of the hardest-hit by the ongoing crisis.

"The burden on small businesses is just extreme," Raimondo said. "It's heartbreaking, it's heart-wrenching. It's just really tough. I feel for you because you've played by the rules your whole life."

While federal stimulus checks are coming, some businesses can't afford to wait several weeks for the funding to arrive. To help bridge the gap, business owners are encouraged to reach out to the Small Business Administration for a disaster loan. For those in immediate need of cash, the state will now provide short-term bridge loans of several thousand dollars. Any banks that are able to contribute to the find are asked to help, since the initial $2 million is expected to dry up quickly, the governor said. These "bridge loans" are available only to businesses with 10 employees or fewer, and owners can call 521-HELP for more information.

"These small businesses can't wait," Raimondo continued. "Don't let them wait because they will not be able to recover."

The state's businesses, both large and small, have pitched in to help with the preparation efforts, the governor said. Over the past month, approximately 200 businesses have sold or donated needed supplies, while more than 50 manufacturers have agreed to retool their equipment to make much-needed masks and gowns.

Raimondo also reminded Rhode Island families that it's important to follow custody agreements, even during social distancing. Co-parents are encouraged to communicate and come up with a solution that works best for their situation. If an agreement cannot be reached, the state's family court system is still available on an emergency basis to adjust custody arrangements.

Rhode Island has not yet hit its peak in cases, and the state is working to be ready for the inevitable surge.

"There will be a surge. It will be a steep increase. I am going to report numbers that will not make anyone comfortable," Raimondo said.

To meet this need, plans are underway to create a 2,000-bed surge hospital, with teams working to address the issues of physically acquiring beds, changing regulations surrounding the creation of a new hospital, meeting staffing requirements and more. In addition, a supply chain team is working around the clock to ensure there are adequate supplies of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers. There are five million N95 masks, three million surgical masks, hundreds of thousands of gloves and more on order, Raimondo said.

"It's not here yet, and every day is a battle," she said. "We are working for the best, and planning for the worst."

So far, 600 members of the National Guard have been deployed in Rhode Island, and that number is likely to rise to 1,000. Soldiers have been stationed at drive-through testing sites, door-knocking out-of-state residents with local police departments, collecting contact information at T.F. Green Airport, bus and train stations and more.

"When I say I have an army of people behind me working to make this happen, I mean it," Raimondo said.

Many Rhode Islanders have asked why the governor and the Rhode Island Department of Health have only been announcing the number of new cases and the state's total, and have not said how many people are considered "recovered." Dr. James McDonald, one of the department's medical directors, said that while that information is being collected, it is more important to focus on controlling the spread at this time.

"More than 80 percent of people who get COVID-19 will recover easily in their homes," he said. "In fact, many have such mild symptoms that they don't know they have it."

To help slow the rapid spread of the virus, the department is focused on identifying new cases and aggressive contact tracing for these infected people.

At this time, there are currently 60 people in the hospital. So far, 30 people have been discharged, McDonald said.

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