Coronavirus In Rhode Island: Latest Updates

Rhode Island's third "presumed positive" case of the new coronavirus was announced Friday evening, in a woman health officials said came in direct contact with one of the confirmed cases. Across the state, local leaders, school administrators and government departments are taking steps to keep the virus contained.

Third Likely Case Of Coronavirus Identified In Rhode Island

The third "presumptive positive" case is in a woman in her 60s who was in close contact with one of the confirmed cases, the Rhode Island Department of Health said. The woman is an employee at Smithfield Avenue Nursery School in Pawtucket.

URI Suspends International Travel Over Concerns Of Coronavirus

All international travel and study abroad programs have been suspended at the University of Rhode Island for the remainder of the semester. Students, faculty and staff who are already out of the country will be brought back to the U.S. Those who have traveled to areas where the virus is widespread will not return to campus and will self-monitor for symptoms.

Rhode Island Awarded $500k From CDC For Coronavirus Containment

The $500,000 grant from the CDC comes ahead of at least $4.9 million in addition funding the state will receive should a $8.3-billion bipartisan emergency supplemental aid package be approved by Congress.

"Congress needs to work together to get it quickly passed, signed into law, and get the resources in place where they are most needed," Senator Jack Reed said. "And we need to be prepared to take additional steps if the outbreak spreads and the situation on the ground warrants additional action. We also need to hear from the Administration about how it plans to fix the gaps in our system for now and in the future."

Blue Cross, Blue Shield RI Waives Fees For Coronavirus Testing

CVS Waives Testing, Telemedicine Fees For Aetna Members

On Friday, both CVS Health, which owns Aetna, and Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Rhode Island announced that they would change their policies to better accommodate members, waiving fees for diagnostic tests relating to COVID-19 and making accommodations for telemedicine.

Amid Coronavirus Concerns, RI School Cancels Trip To Spain

Also this week, St. Raphael Academy, which is connected to the state's two confirmed cases of the virus, announced that it would cancel its planned trip to Spain over April vacation. The school remains closed, and classes are expected to resume as normal on March 16.

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On Thursday, Governor Gina Raimondo and Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the Director of Health at the Rhode Island Department of Health, said containment remains the central focus, and five CDC officials are on the ground in Rhode Island to help with the effort.

Raimondo said she is pleased with the response so far and applauded Rhode Islanders, especially those in quarantine, for doing their part to prevent the spread of the virus. At this time, approximately 200 people are self-monitoring for symptoms at home. 17 people have tested negative so far at the State Health Laboratory, while eight results are pending.

The first confirmed case of COVID-19, a man in his 40s, is still hospitalized and in stable condition, while the second, a teenage student at St. Ray's, had mild symptoms and recovered at home. A third person associated with the trip to Italy organized by the school in February, tested negative for the virus earlier this week after developing respiratory symptoms.

Anyone with questions or concerns about the coronavirus is encouraged to call the health department's 24-hour hotline, 401-222-8022, for assistance. Rhode Islanders who develop respiratory symptoms are urged to call their healthcare provider before going to a hospital or doctor's office. From there, the provider can work with the department to determine if the patient needs to be tested. The best place for anyone who is sick, however mild, is at home, Alexander-Scott said.

To prevent the spread of the virus, which is passed through respiratory droplets, health officials are reminding Rhode Islanders to take the same precautions they ordinarily would during cold and flue season, especially washing hand thoroughly and frequently with soap and warm water. If handwashing is not possible, alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a good alternative. Other steps include:

• Get a flu shot, and encourage those around you to do the same. While this will not help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it is an effective tool to keep people with the flu from developing complications that require hospitalization.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than a hand or the air.
• Stay home from school or work if sick.
• Keep surfaces, especially bedside tables, bathrooms and children's toys clean by wiping them down with disinfectant.
• Get plenty of sleep, by physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods to maintain good health.

The CDC does not recommend that otherwise healthy people wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory viruses, including the new coronavirus. Only wear a mask if a healthcare provider instructs you to do so, the Department of Health said. Those with symptoms are asked to wear a mask to help prevent spreading the disease to others.

Read more:

• Amid Coronavirus Concerns, RI School Cancels Trip To Spain
  
• Blue Cross, Blue Shield RI Waives Fees For Coronavirus Testing
  
• CVS Waives Testing, Telemedicine Fees For Aetna Members
• Coronavirus In Rhode Island: Schools Closed, Store Shelves Empty
• St. Raphael School To Remain Closed For Second Week
• Cicilline: CDC Should Notify States Of Returning Travelers
• 3rd Possible Case Of Coronavirus In RI Tests Negative
• Coronavirus In Rhode Island: What To Know
• An Outbreak Of Coronavirus Misinformation: AP Fact Check
• RI Coronavirus: 2nd 'Presumptive' Positive, 3rd Person Tested
• Pawtucket School Says RI Coronavirus Patient Is Community Member
• Cohasset Woman Quarantined For Potential Coronovirus Exposure