Rhode Island's Coronavirus Cases Double, Positivity Rate Climbs

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island's coronavirus case numbers again spiked last week, continuing a nearly monthlong upward trend.

Over the past week, the number of cases in the state nearly doubled from 55 cases per 100,000 people to 105, according to the latest data from the Rhode Island Department of Health. The state's percent positivity rate, meanwhile, increased by just over 1 percent, from 1.8 percent to 3 percent. While that number is still relatively low, it's the highest recorded in the state in months, following rates under 0.5 percent throughout the early summer.

Despite the increases in case numbers, hospitalizations have generally held steady over the past weeks. This is likely due to the high rate of vaccinations in the state, which have been proven to reduce the likelihood of severe disease and the need for hospitalization. Since Jun, hospitalizations have remained below 30, rising to 34 in the last week.

Gov. Dan McKee previously said the "overwhelming majority" of new COVID-19 cases, as well as hospitalizations, have been among unvaccinated people.

Read more:

• COVID-19 Transmission 'High' In Rhode Island: CDC
  
• Should Fully Vaccinated Rhode Islanders Wear A Mask? Probably.
• Mask Mandates 'Strongly Recommended' In RI Schools This Fall
• Lifespan, Care New England To Require Staff COVID-19 Vaccines
• RI Leaders To Review New CDC Mask Guidance, No Change For Now