Governor Gina Raimondo struck a somber tone in her weekly COVID-19 press briefing on Wednesday, imploring Rhode Islanders to take the upcoming "two week pause" seriously. "If we don't take it seriously, our hospitals will be overwhelmed in a matter of weeks," the governor said. Raimondo encouraged Rhode Islanders to "stay home as much as possible" during the pause, which creates stricter rules for businesses and social gatherings beginning on Monday, November 30th. (For full details on the pause, click here: https://newsradiori.iheart.com/content/2020-11-19-covid-19-update-governor-orders-two-week-pause-tougher-restrictions/
Governor Raimondo also announced that an additional $100 million in aid is being made to local businesses and families. Businesses are eligible for up to $50,000 and can apply at www.tax.ri.gov within the next two weeks. Beginning November 30th, an additional $400 ($200/week x 2 weeks) will be available to all residents receiving unemployment benefits during the pause.
According to the RI Department of Health, COVID-19 dedicated beds are almost full, and field hospitals are ready to start taking patients as early as next week. (Data for COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations is in chart below.)
Goals for testing over the next two weeks, as outlined by Governor Raimondo:
- Enable anyone to tested within 24 hours of showing symptoms, by:
- Improve access to asymptomatic testing
- Increase number of testing sites.
- Increase testing in most at-risk populations
- Enable test results to be accessed within two days.
graphic: Rhode Island Department of Health