'It's Still An Active Outbreak' | Coronavirus Clusters At PC, URI

KINGSTON, RI — Approximately 200 cases of coronavirus have been identified at two colleges in Rhode Island. While the outbreaks are still active, Gov. Gina Raimondo said, school leaders and the Department of Health have them well under control.

"It's a reminder to all of us not to let our guard down," Raimondo said.

To date, approximately 150 cases have been identified at Providence College, and around 40 at the University of Rhode Island. These cases have made up most of the state's increase in case numbers, the governor said, though the overall percent positive rate remains well below the 5 percent threshold.

Of the cases found at Providence College, most were found to be connected to off-campus housing, particularly apartments on Eaton Street. The triple-decker, multi-unit homes made it easy for the virus to spread as students went from apartment to apartment and had small gatherings on balconies and outside.

"There was no big party to blame for this," Raimondo said. "People were in relatively small groups, but they weren't consistent. There weren't masks or social distancing."

While large social gatherings are still, of course, a concern, smaller gatherings can still be an issue if people do not keep their groups stable. Seeing a group of five to 10 people one day, then nine others the next and still others within a short time period is just as dangerous, Raimondo said. In addition, it's still vital to wear masks and keep distance as much as possible during social gatherings.

To prevent further spread at PC, a stay-at-home order has been issued and mandatory testing is underway.

At URI, meanwhile, the smaller outbreak means that a campus-wide lockdown is not needed at this time. Rigorous testing is being conducted, and all positive cases are being isolated and close contacts quarantined.

The few dozen cases found in Kingston were connected to three Greek life houses, as well as other forms of housing. As was the case at PC, frequent, small social gatherings are believed to be behind the virus' spread, Raimondo said.

Although it may be difficult to remain at school while unwell or alone, students with confirmed cases of coronavirus are asked not to return home if they live out of state, to prevent students from carrying the virus across state borders.

It is very important for students to follow orders from their school and avoid risky behaviors, since outbreaks have statewide impacts.

"To the students at PC, I'm asking you to obey the stay-at-home order," Raimondo said. "I get that it's fall and you want to get together and have fun, but behavior like that this year endangers other people's lives, and it's incredibly selfish."

Raimondo urged all colleges in Rhode Island to have strict consequences in place to make sure students follow the rules, even off campus.

"We must hold students accountable for their off-campus behavior," Raimondo said.