RI Reports 3 New Coronavirus Deaths, 97 Additional Cases

PROVIDENCE, RI — There more Rhode Islanders died from the new coronavirus over the past day, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced Saturday. There are also 97 news cases, bringing the state's total to 806.

At this time, there are 93 people in the hospital with COVID-19.

"The hospitalization number continues to climb at a very rapid rate over the past week," Raimondo said.

In the coming days and weeks, the number of cases and hospitalizations will continue to grow, she said, adding that this should not be a surprise to anybody. To help prepare for this, everyone needs to follow the social distancing mandates to slow the spread of the virus as much as possible.

"This isn't a joke. There will be thousands of more people in Rhode Island in the hospital in the months to come. There is no scenario when we don't have many more people in the hospitals, and, unfortunately, more people dying," Raimondo said. "I am trying to protect as many people as possible from the downside that is coming. ... This is a Rubik's Cube of public policy."

Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, reminded residents that it's a good idea to wear some kind of fabric face covering when out of the house. This could be a bandanna, scarf, t-shirt, home-sewn face mask or another article covering the nose and mouth. Medical-grade masks such as surgical masks and N95 respirators should be saved for health care workers who need them.

While fabric face masks will not prevent a person from getting the virus, it will cut down on respiratory droplets that are sent out into the air by coughing, breathing or talking. Because not everyone with COVID-19 shows symptoms, this could help to cut down on transmission.

Because testing is now available to anyone with symptoms in the state, Rhode Islanders are again reminded to call their primary care provider if they have symptoms. This policy is changed from previously, when testing was limited only to those in specific groups such as health care workers, the elderly and those in the hospital.

Of the most recent three deaths, two of the victims, a man and a woman, were in their 80s, Alexander-Scott said, and the other was a man in his 90s. The woman was a resident at Golden Crest nursing home in North Providence, which has had six coronavirus-related deaths to date.

"You are talking about people who are often medically and physically very fragile," Alexander-Scott said of nursing home residents. "That goes for COVID-19 patients and those who are not."

Everyone in Rhode Island is facing a massive change in routine, Raimondo said, which can be jarring, especially on weekends. To help maintain a semblance of normalcy, she encouraged Rhode Islanders to try to establish a new routine: getting up around the same time every morning and going outside for at least a few minutes to get fresh air.

"Take a minute to acknowledge how hard this is," Raimondo said. "If you're struggling, you're not alone. Because we all are."

Rhode Island continues to get better at its response to the virus, Raimondo said, and is in a better place than some other states.

"We are doing a lot better than many states," she said. "And we will continue to get better and better at it every day."

The governor again reminded all Rhode Islanders that even though it is the weekend, it's important to stay inside and avoid gatherings of five people or more. As of Friday, parking lots at all state parks and beaches are closed to discourage people from going to these areas in large crowds. It is still okay to walk in beaches or parks if you are able to walk there, Raimondo said.

"We have extra DEM patrols on today and tomorrow, and if we see you in a large crowd, we will break up the crowds," Raimondo said. "These are rules to keep you safe, healthy and alive."

This weekend also marks Palm Sunday, the Christian holy day celebrated the week before Easter. Although it is traditionally a day to gather, Raimondo said it is absolutely too dangerous to do so this year. This includes the drive-through distribution of palms, since the virus can stick to surfaces and survive for some time.

"I want to talk directly to every parish, every priest, every family. ... There should be no church service tomorrow at churches. I don't want to hear tomorrow that certain churches were open and that certain people were sneaking into churches to have mass, or get communion," Raimondo said. "Furthermore, there will be no distribution of palms. I know this is hard. We know this virus sticks to surfaces. If we have a lot of people getting palms, especially old people, it will be too dangerous."

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