Coronavirus In RI: 9 New Cases, Public Schools Closed

PROVIDENCE, RI — There are nine new positive cases of the new coronavirus in Rhode Island, Governor Gina Raimondo announced on Friday, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 14. All public schools will be closed next week, the governor said.

"I know tensions are rising. The tone of this crisis has changed, even in the past few hours," Raimondo said. "It's time for us to take collectively take a deep breath. Panic is not helpful. Spreading misinformation is dangerous."

Previously scheduled April vacation will be moved up to next week, the governor said, allowing school leaders to create at-home learning plans in the event that the closure needs to be extended beyond one week.

Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the Director of Health at the Rhode Island Department of Health, said it is extremely important for teachers and school leaders to remain in the state during the week off to develop plans for at-home learning, cleaning protocols in school facilities and other preparedness plan.

Childcare facilities are asked to stay open next week. As much as possible, parents should keep their children at home with them, but the governor acknowledged that not everyone can stay home from or work from home, making childcare a necessity while schools are closed.

"The last thing we can afford is to have parents ask their parents and grandparents watch children right now," Raimondo said.

Private schools are strongly encouraged to follow in the state's footsteps and close their schools next weeks, Alexander-Scott said, as a statewide effort, rather than closing schools individually, will be more effective at containing the spread of the virus.

The announcement comes less than a day after Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green asked school leaders to draw up plans for at-home learning by next Thursday in the event of a closure. Several schools have already submitted these plans, Alexander-Scott said, and state officials are working with other districts to develop plans.

Of the nine new cases, four are males and five are females. Of those, three are children. All of the patients are recovering at home, except for one who is in a nursing home. That person has been placed in isolation, Alexander-Scott said. While the department is still working to determine the causes of transmission, they are believed to have come from four unrelated trips to Jamaica, Europe, the Bahamas and another state within the U.S. One of the children attended daycare in Stonginton, Connecticut.

With that in mind, all Rhode Islanders are asked to stay local, avoiding all nonessential travel both in and outside the country. Anyone who travels internationally will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days, Alexander-Scott said.

"We have this window of opportunity where these type of aggressive measures can flatten the curve of anticipated cases in Rhode Island," she said.

While the new policies can seem draconian to some, Raimondo said they are vital to preventing a strain on the state's healthcare resources. Using the analogy of a kitchen fire, she said it is more prudent to put a lid on a flaming pot than to let it spread to the rest of the house. By staying a step ahead and taking advance actions, the state continues to prolong the arrival of widespread community transmission.

The governor laid out other measures the state is taking in an effort to crack down on transmission in the state.

Visitation policies in nursing homes have been further restricted. To protect healthcare workers and elderly patients, one of the most at-risk populations, no one will be allowed inside nursing facilities.

"There will be absolutely no visitation in the state of Rhode Island," Raimondo said. "I know it's hard, but you are forbidden to visit nursing homes. Period."

Doubling down on her announcement from earlier this week, the governor unequivocally called for the cancellation of events with 250 people or more, saying that exceptions are no longer acceptable for the next few weeks.

"Large gatherings: shut them down," she said. "Church gatherings, school gatherings: shut them down."

People who are healthy can still go out to go grocery shopping, eat out and fulfill other errands, Raimondo said, provided they take preventive measures and avoid large crowds. The elderly are asked to avoid going out as much as possible, staying away from gatherings with 10 people or more.

"We need everyone in Rhode Island to do their part," Dr. Alexander-Scott said. "We need people to take these measures and stay home now."

Because the situation is changing by the day, the governor will continue to hold daily briefings to keep the public up-to-date.

"Take this seriously, but don't panic," Raimondo said. "Don't spread rumors and make this worse than it is."

What can Rhode Islanders do?

Anyone who feels ill, no matter how mild, is urged to stay home until they are well. Even those who have tested negative for COVID-19 are asked to remain at home until they feel better.

When greeting others, especially those over 60, Rhode Islanders are asked to avoid handshakes and hugs, opting for a fist or elbow-bump or other greeting with minimal contact.

Handwashing remains one of the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus, Alexander-Scott said. Use warm water and soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently, and wipe down surfaces in the home with disinfectant. Other recommendations 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.

If you have questions, reach out to the Rhode Island Department of Health by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 401-222-8022, or 211 after hours, emailing RIDOH.COVID19Questions@health.ri.gov or visiting the department's website. In addition, the state has launched a 24-hour hotline during an anxiety-prone time. Anyone in need of mental health assistance can call 401-415-5565.

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