PROVIDENCE – While the state of Rhode Island wraps up its first work week of Phase II of reopening the economy, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo announced that she is extending several executive orders, including the state remaining in a state of emergency for an additional 30 days. The governor said the move is to ensure that Rhode Island will have access to all necessary federal resources.
In addition, Raimondo announced the extension of several other executive orders, including wearing face masks coverings in indoor and outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not possible, quarantining people who have tested positive for the virus or were in close contact with people who are sick for 14 days. Also, she extended mandatory insurance coverage of tele-medicine, which will include a simple phone call or a video conference, until July 5.
Understanding Breast Health: The Vital Role of Annual Screenings
Breast health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, and regular screenings play a vital…
Learn More
“This has been critical to break down barriers to access,” said Raimondo, and explained that she is looking to work with the legislature to make this permanent.
Rhode Island cases of COVID-19 increased by 113 on Thursday to total 15,441, the R.I. Department of Health said Friday.
Deaths due to the virus increased by 16, now totaling 772. R.I. Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott said the deaths’ age range went from people in their 60s to one individual who was more than 100 years old.
There were 182 people hospitalized due to COVID-19, a decline from 185 one day prior. Of those hospitalized, 37 were in intensive care units and 23 were on ventilators. To date, 1,336 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from the hospital.
The state conducted 4,417 tests on Thursday, bringing the total number of tests administered in the state to 170,739.
“That’s a testing record,” said the Governor. “It’s the most we’ve ever done in a day.”
Raimondo said the test positive rate was less than 3% statewide, which is the lowest it has ever been.
Both Raimondo and Dr. Alexander-Scott said they are working to send volunteer staff members to the Black Lives Matter peaceful protests that are scheduled Friday afternoon in Providence at 4:30 p.m., in order to hand out face masks and information about the coronavirus.
“I think that it is your right [to protest peacefully] and I think that in this moment in time, it is vital to make your voices heard and stand up against injustices,” said Raimondo, but she looked to remind peaceful protestors that the highly contagious and deadly virus is not over.
She said that in “no way” will the National Guard or police interfere in people protesting. However, Providence’s curfew is in effect at 9:00 p.m., as mandated by the city, to try to prevent any violent riots after the peaceful protests are over tonight.
“There’s a lot of businesses that are afraid. They’re boarded up because they are afraid,” said Raimondo, who said many of her staff and Dr. Alexander-Scott will be attending the peaceful protest. “I can’t fault these businesses for boarding up.”
Starting next week, the Raimondo’s daily briefings will go from five times a week to three days per week. The briefings will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
This story has been updated to include details from the governor’s press conference.
