Governor Gina Raimondo and the Rhode Island Department of Health hosted a press briefing to provide an update on COVID-19 in Rhode Island at 11 am on Tuesday, May 26th.

Watch: Press Briefing

YouTube video

Updates From Press Briefing

Gov: This weekend that “overwhelmingly people were out and about doing the right thing”. Says “Everything bout this weekend is a good news story so thank you Rhode islanders”. Says “We are learning to live with the virus”.

Gov: This weekend DBR surveyed more than 200 businesses for mask wearing and found 98 percent compliance with employees and 97 percent compliance with customers.

Gov: More than 35,000 Rhode Islanders have downloaded the CRUSH COVID-19 smarthphone app.

Gov: Intention, hope, and plan is still to move to Phase II on Monday, June 1st. Says a big portion of our economy is coming back online next week, even more important to follow the social distancing rules as you get a haircut, go to church, gym, restaurants, etc.

Gov: On mask wearing – “the data is in, mask wearing works”. Encourages Rhode Islanders to wear cloth masks. Gov says mask won’t prevent you from getting virus but meant to prevent you from spreading virus to someone nearby. “Do your best to prevent someone you know from getting sick”.

Gov: Urges teachers to keep students engaged for final weeks of distance learning in schools. Talks about teacher car parade in Jamestown. Encourages all to hang in there and continue to do their best to stay engaged., “don’t throw in the towel on final few weeks of distance learning”.

Governor take s a few moments to mark National Foster Care Month.

Gov: Commerce RI is hosting calls, videos, etc. for offices, gyms, restaurants, and personal services this week. Encourages businesses to following along and participate.

Director of Health: On 13 new fatalities – 1 in 60s, 4 in 70s, 3 in 80s, and 5 in 90s. There were also 13 fatalities yesterday. 26 new fatalities since last data update. 5 of the 13 new deaths were in long-term care facilities. In all, about 440 deaths in long-term care facilities (out of 634 total) and 20 in assisted living facilities.

Governor: Says she will speak about youth sports on Thursday of this week.

More from the Governor

Governor Raimondo Announces Virtual Forums for Businesses

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. 

Rhode Island Commerce and RIDOH will be holding virtual forums for businesses this week. Following the discussion, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. The sessions are as follows: 

The Dairy Farmers of America, a national dairy cooperative, and its New England farm family members are donating 4,300 gallons of milk to families in need in a milk drive-up event at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27th, starting at 9 a.m. The Farmers Feeding Families event is co-sponsored by Vanguard Renewables with participation from Guida’s Dairy, the State of Rhode Island, City of Pawtucket, the PawSox, Station Row Apartments, Performance Physical Therapy, Ocean State Job Lot, the Guild Pawtucket, and Schroder’s Deli and Catering. The limit will be two gallons of milk per car or walk up participant. 

COVID-19 Data Update 

RIDOH announced 73 new cases of COVID-19 today. This brings Rhode Island’s case count to 14,210. RIDOH also announced 13 additional COVID-19 associated fatalities. Rhode Island’s number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is now 634. 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 26: RIDOH reported today that there are 73 new positive cases (total now 14,210), 13 new associated deaths (total now 634), 226 are currently hospitalized (50 currently in ICU, 36 on ventilator).