One Of RI's New Coronavirus Cases Is Cranston West Student

CRANSTON, RI — One of the nine additional cases of the new coronavirus announced in Rhode Island is a Cranston West High School student, the school department said on Friday. The announcement comes just hours after Governor Gina Raimondo announced that all public schools will be closed next week.

Starting Friday, all students, faculty and staff at the high school are required to go into self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms for the next 14 days, the school department said in a statement. While parents, siblings and family members of those in quarantine may leave their homes, no one is allowed to visit. Any family members who have symptoms are asked to self-quarantine as well.

Mayor Alan Fung announced that the city will be taking several steps as well, closing the Senior Enrichment Center and Arlington Library until further notice. In addition, the Cranston Ice Rink will be closed for the next week, and all planned programs and events are canceled.

On Friday, the governor announced that there are nine new "presumptive positive" cases in Rhode Island, bringing the state's total to 14. Five of the cases are females and four are males, while three are minors.

April vacation will be moved up to next week to allow school officials the opportunity to prepare for online learning and discuss school cleaning protocols. Students are asked to stay at home, and teachers are asked to remain in the state if possible.

With the announcement of the new cases, Raimondo doubled down on her visitation policy for nursing homes, saying that no one will be allowed in, no exceptions, to protect healthcare workers and vulnerable elderly patients.

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