Rhode Island students will not return to school this academic year. Governor Gina Raimondo announced on Thursday that distance learning will continue until the end of the school year. The Governor said returning for a few weeks of traditional learning is "not worth the risk." Raimondo says that nearly every family in RI now has access to tools needed for distance learning, including access to computers and the internet.
Meanwhile, Rhode Island recorded the highest number of new daily cases to date, with 412 new cases on Thursday. The total number of cases in the state is now 6,256. Eight new deaths were reported on Thursday, bringing to total to 189.
Regarding the funding needed to support various state programs enacted or ramped up since the start of the pandemic, Governor Raimondo reported that the state has received $625 million in funds from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund.
graphic: RIDOH photo: WJAR-TV NBC10