Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo made the following announcements at Wednesday's daily briefing.
- New cases of Coronavirus: 278. Total cases now 3,529
- Recent deaths: 7. Total now 87. (All seven were age 70+. Six are were nursing home residents.)
- Total people tested in RI: 25,897
- State has secured 200 room for homeless needing quarantine at Wyndham Hotel in Providence.
- State exploring using dormitories to house people who test positive, so they don't infect others in household.
- New initiative being launched to help Rhode Islanders find safe, affordable, virus-free housing: www.rihavens.com . Website is designed to provide lodging options for healthcare workers and others on "front line"
- RI working to allow health care workers to get tested more quickly. "Fast Track" testing system is now set up through the CVS testing site at Twin River Casino. Governor says "a couple hundred" spots will be reserved fro health care workers each day.
- When asked about whether residents living near Mass. line can cross the state line to grocery shop, Raimondo cautions those that do so to "stay home" and "use good judgment."
photo: WJAR NBC10