Governor Gina Raimondo and the Rhode Island Department of Health will host a press briefing to provide an update on COVID-19 in Rhode Island at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, May 20th.
Updates From Press Briefing
Gov: Press Briefing will take place at 1 pm on Thursday and Friday. No press briefing on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday (Memorial Day). There will be a ceremony at the RI Veterans Cemetery, will mostly be virtual.
Gov: 10,000 Rhode Islanders have already signed up for Crush Covid RI app.
Gov: Memorial Day – Reminds Rhode Islanders that all State Parks are now open, two state beaches (Scarborough and East Matunuck Beach) will reopen on Monday. Governor reminds Rhode Islanders that limit on social gatherings remains at 5. Gov. says it’s very important that we pause and remember what the holiday is about.
Gov: On Friday of this week she is going to be talking about what Phase 2 looks like when it begins in early June.
Gov: On healthcare – It’s safe to go to doctor’s appointments and people should be doing this.
Gov: On places of worship – Targeting weekend of May 30th for reopening of places of worship. There will be significant capacity restrictions (limited to 25% of overall maximum capacity). Gov. reminds Rhode Islanders not to go if you are feeling sick.
Gov: Will be hosting a Facebook Live at 11 am on Thursday for older Rhode Islanders and there loved ones.
Director of Health: On six new deaths – 2 in 80s, 4 in 90s
Director of Health: Data by town has been updated. In Newport County (as of May 20th), there are 12 positive cases (96 tested) in Little Compton, 69 positive cases (828 tested) in Tiverton, 30 positive cases (720 tested) in Portsmouth, 55 positive cases (1,353 tested) in Newport, 8 positive cases (249 tested) in Jamestown, and 32 positive cases (1,004 tested) in Middletown.
More – Press Release From Governor
Governor Raimondo, Dr. Alexander-Scott Provide Update on the State’s Response to COVID-19
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) provided an update on Rhode Island’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
- Houses of worship: Today the Governor announced that houses of worship, when they begin reopening the weekend of May 30th, will be limited to 25% of their overall capacity. This decision was made in consultation with faith leaders across Rhode Island.
COVID-19 Data Update
RIDOH announced 209 new cases of COVID-19 today. This brings Rhode Island’s case count to 13,356. RIDOH also announced six additional COVID-19 associated fatalities. Rhode Island’s number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is now 538. A full data summary for Rhode Island is posted online.
Key messages for the public
- Anyone who is sick should stay home and self-isolate (unless going out for testing or healthcare).
- The people who live with that person and who have been in direct close contact with that person should self-quarantine for 14 days after the last day that that person was in isolation. Direct close contact means being within approximately 6 feet of a person for a prolonged period.
- Help is available for people living in quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19. Visit www.RIDelivers.com [ridelivers.com] for connections to groceries, home supplies, restaurants, and mutual aid groups. People can also call 2-1-1.
- When people are in public, they should wear a cloth face covering. A cloth face covering is a material that covers the nose and mouth. It could be sewn by hand or improvised from household items such as scarves, T-shirts, or bandanas.
- Groups of more than five people should not be gathering. Always avoid close personal contact with other people in public.
- People who think they have COVID-19 should call their healthcare provider. Do not go directly to a healthcare facility without first calling a healthcare provider (unless you are experiencing a medical emergency).
- People with general, non-medical questions about COVID-19 can visit www.health.ri.gov/covid, write to RIDOH.COVID19Questions@health.ri.gov, or call 401-222-8022. This is the COVID-19 Hotline that RIDOH has available to the public.
- Everyone can help stop the spread of viruses in Rhode Island.
- Wash your hands often throughout the day. Use warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
- Stay home and do not leave your house if you are sick, unless it is for emergency medical care.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
The Latest Data
May 20: RIDOH reports today that there are 209 new positive cases (total now 13,356), 6 new associated deaths (total now 538), and 257 currently hospitalized (58 in ICU, 45 on ventilator).
This story is developing, check back throughout the day for the latest.