RI Gov. Focusing On COVID-19 Vaccines, No Mask Rules For Now

PROVIDENCE, RI — As coronavirus cases climb across the state, Rhode Island's leaders are staying the course when it comes to mask-wearing, and strongly urging all eligible residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

"Getting vaccinated is the number one thing we can do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and out of the hospital," Gov. Dan McKee said Tuesday. "Vaccinations are key."

State leaders are keeping their focus on vaccinations, rather than offering a strong opinion on mask-wearing at this time. McKee said the decision to wear a mask is one left to the discretion of fully vaccinated residents. He encouraged all residents to carry a mask with them in public, "to accommodate those who feel it is necessary" in certain businesses or areas.

"No one at this table is suggesting that the state impose another mask mandate at this time," McKee said during the news conference.

Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, echoed the governor's sentiment. Because of the prevalence of the delta variant in the state, she said she made the decision to wear a mask in public settings, to protect herself and her young son, who is not yet eligible to get vaccinated.

"Masks continue to work, nothing has changed," she said.

The department estimated that about 75 percent of current COVID-19 cases in the state are the delta variant, which is considerably more transmissible and dangerous than the original strain of COVID-19. Although case numbers climbed by 200 percent over the past weeks, hospitalizations and deaths have remained relatively level, Alexander-Scott said.

"Vaccinations keep you out of the hospital and alive," Alexander-Scott said, reiterating that although fully vaccinated people can get sick, nearly all breakthrough case are mild enough to not require hospitalization or cause death. "Everyone who is eligible — that means 12 and up — should be vaccinated."

The latest weekly data from the Department of Health shows another sharp increase in the state's case numbers and percent positivity rate. Compared to the week prior, cases per 100,000 people rose from 106 to 145, while the percent positivity rate went up from 1.8 percent to 3.3 percent. COVID-19 transmission remains high in the state, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention's indicator.

Related: Should Fully Vaccinated Rhode Islanders Wear A Mask? Probably.