Governor Gina Raimondo warned on Wednesday that Rhode Island's COVID-19 situation is getting worse. In her weekly press briefing, Raimondo stated, "We're in a bad place," and said she will announced new restrictions on Friday October 30th. Those restrictions will include reducing social gathering limits and more workplace restrictions. Governor Raimondo said Rhode Island is nearing metrics which could require a move back to "Phase 2." The state has been in Phase 3 of its reopening since July. Raimondo said projections show that hospitalizations could soon rise to a point which would require the use of field hospitals to supplement existing hospital capacity.
The governor cited recent data as evidence that stricter rules are needed:
- RI Positivity rate= 2.9% - A 100% Increase over four week period
- Steep increase in hospitalizations - 103 to 139, week to week.
- New cases per 100,000 population- up from 150 to 242, week to week.
Meanwhile, Governor Raimondo reminded residents to limit the number of people you make contact with to a bare minimum, and to keep a journal of people and places you come in contact with.
Raimondo also used the occasion to encourage school systems to implement as much in-person learning as possible, citing data that shows that students involved with in-person learning are less likely to contract COVID-19:
- Among K-12 students:
- 98,500 - in-person learning (363 cases)
- 49,700- virtual learning (312 cases) =
The new restrictions to be announced on Friday will possibly include restricting social gatherings to 10 or fewer people, and cut back on capacity at businesses.
graphic: RI DEPT of Health