R.I. has first two deaths related to COVID-19; Raimondo issues stay-at-home order

Updated at 5:51 p.m.

THE CORONAVIRUS has continued to prompt the closure of business and nonprofits around the state. / NIAID-RML via AP
RHODE ISLAND is now climbing toward an expected peak in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the next few weeks. / NIAID-RML via AP

PROVIDENCE – Health officials on Saturday reported the state’s first two COVID-19-related deaths, and Gov. Gina M. Raimondo issued a stay-at-home order for all Rhode Islanders not traveling to work or buying essentials until April 13.

All gatherings of more than five people are also banned, further restricting what had been a limit of no more than 10. She also ordered all noncritical retail businesses closed as of March 30, until April 13. Restaurant food pickup and delivery are still allowed.

The governor also extended restrictions on domestic travel into the state to all nonresidents, asking them to self-quarantine for 14 days, mirroring a similar request in place in Massachusetts. Only vehicles with New York plates entering the state will be stopped by Rhode Island State Police enforcing quarantine orders, due to the outbreak of confirmed cases in that state.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo told CNN on Saturday that if Raimondo doesn’t roll back the policy targeting New Yorkers, he will sue Rhode Island to stop it.

- Advertisement -

In Rhode Island, one individual with COVID-19 in their 80s died Friday night. Another person, in their 70s, died on Saturday. Both had underlying medical conditions.

Raimondo reported 36 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 compared to Friday, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 239. There are 29 people with the virus hospitalized and an estimated 2,500 people in self-quarantine.

“This is going to get very real, very fast,” she said about the number of cases and deaths climbing in the state.

“We are not ready for a surge,” she said, but added the new restrictions ordered Saturday are designed to help keep the state a step ahead of the spread of the new coronavirus. She said the state hopes to get to an average of 1,000 tests per day by late next week.

Raimondo estimated social-distancing guidelines are being followed by only about 50% of residents.

“We need you to do better,” she said, explaining the additional restrictions on business operations and travel announced on Saturday.

She added she hopes “in weeks not months, we get back to the business of reopening our economy.”

A federal disaster declaration has been approved for neighboring Massachusetts, which so far has reported 44 deaths and more than 4,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

(ADDS fourth paragraph with New York Gov. Cuomo threat to sue Rhode Island). 

 

 

No posts to display

1 COMMENT

  1. Governor Raimondo is setting a pace in New England and is making bold moves to protect the residents of the Ocean State. With regards to restrictions and in particular travelers from New York; one could also note that a driver from Albany (only 187 confirmed positive cases effective at last count on March 28), would be enforcing quarantine. Bergen County in New Jersey (a stone’s throw from New York City just across the Hudson) has 1,838 confirmed positive cases and growing at a rate higher than 38 of the 50 states in total. One may make the case New Jersey license plate spotted on route 95 could warrant the same scrutiny as a New York driver. The bottom line is we should all stay home.