Coronavirus In RI: Two Additional Cases Identified

PROVIDENCE, RI — Two more people have coronavirus in Rhode Island, health officials announced on Tuesday, the state's fourth and fifth presumptive cases. Both patients are women, one in her 30s and the other in her 50s.

The older woman recently traveled to Egypt, the Rhode Island Department of Health said. The younger woman, meanwhile, is a healthcare worker at a hospital in Rhode Island. The source of her infection is unknown at this time. Both cases will be considered "presumptive" until confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Across Rhode Island, state and local leaders are taking action. On Monday, Governor Gina Raimondo declared a state of emergency in Rhode Island, saying that while the risk to most residents remains low, she wanted to be proactive and free up resources. Both Lifespan and South County Hospital have restricted visitors in patient wards, while nursing homes have also restricted visitation in an effort to protect the elderly and healthcare workers.

"Early data show that older adults are twice as likely to experience serious illness from COVID-19, and nursing home residents may be especially vulnerable," Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of health at the Rhode Island Department of Health, said. "It is absolutely critical that people not enter nursing homes if they are sick or who have recently traveled to a place with widespread community COVID-19 transmission."

In addition, resources have been made available to those who are out of work because of self-quarantine. The changed policy allows Rhode Islanders to receive unemployment insurance or temporary disability insurance without the mandatory seven-day waiting period to apply for or receive benefits. During regular business hours, Rhode Islanders with questions can call 401-462-2020, or email dlt.covid19@dlt.ri.gov at any time.

Anyone with general questions about COVID-19 can call the health department's hotline at 401-222-8022, email RIDOH.COVID19Questions@health.ri.gov or visit the department's website.

Both the University of Rhode Island and the Community College of Rhode Island have suspended all international travel until further notice. Students and faculty who are already abroad will be brought home, the university said. Brown University, meanwhile, has suspended all upcoming travel, both international and domestic, and has canceled planned events of 100 people or more and admissions tours until at least mid-April.

Amid the ongoing concerns, the Rhode Island Blood Center has seen a drop in donations and the cancellation of several planned drives. Anyone who is healthy and able to donate is strongly encouraged to do so, as the organization fears an insufficient supply of blood in the region.

Prevention

At this time, health officials said the risk to most Rhode Islanders remains low, Because the virus is spread through respiratory droplets, residents are asked to take the same precautions that they normally would during cold and flue season. Most importantly, Rhode Islanders are reminded to wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water. 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.
• Masks are not recommended for healthy people to avoid getting the virus. Instead, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asks that people with respiratory symptoms wear a mask to avoid spreading them to others.

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Read more:

• 3 Brown University Students Tested For Coronavirus
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• Coronavirus In RI: Governor Declares State Of Emergency
• 'Urgent Need' For Blood Donations Amid Coronavirus Fears
• Coronavirus In RI: CCRI Suspends All International Travel
• Lifespan Bars Visitors From Rhode Island Hospitals
• RI Health Dept. Urges Residents To Take Coronavirus Precautions