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Coronavirus Update – Today, April 6, 2020
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
US Surgeon General says this week “will be our 9-11 moment – the hardest moments for many Americans in their entire lives”.
NEW: Veterinarians say stay away from animals if you are sick
A tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York City has tested positive for coronavirus and six other big cats are showing symptoms – The cats were infected by “a person caring for them who was asymptomatically infected with the virus or before that person developed symptoms. The tigers are expected to recover.
Stanford University begins testing for immunity – results will be in the next few days
New Orleans Saints Tom Dempsey died due to coronavirus at 73.
Michigan governor’s proposed 70-day extension to keep Michigan shutdown till end of summer.
Texas will screen travelers from Louisiana and reinforce 2 week quarantine
Fire Capt. Crozier, from USS Roosevelt, who was fired by President Trump has tested positive
British PM Boris Johnson admitted to hospital “for tests”
Scotland’s top medical officer resigns after seen breaking the stay-at-home quarantine and traveling with his wife to their second home
California orders all residents to wear face masks when out of their homes
NFL officials are now openly talking about missing the entire season
American Airlines suspends flights in to NYC
Wuhan province is taking down the physical barriers that walled it off from the rest of the country
It is estimated that 40% of New Yorkers will not be able to pay rent this month.
SNAP reform is needed as cards cannot be used online for purchasing groceries
Americans stranded in Russia as last passenger flight to U.S. is cancelled
President’s Press Conference
First day deaths have decreased in NY
Javits Center now treating Covid-19 patients with federal medical personnel
USNS Comfort – not supposed to be virus – but now it is
Over 3,000 medically deployed – number is going up
600L N95 masks going to NYC tomorrow
200K N95 masks going to Suffolk Co.
Millions going to other locations:
500 ventilators to New Jersey; 200 to Louisiana; 300 to Michigan; 600 to Illinois; 100 to MA.
Building hospital in Illinois – will also staff it with military
Federal medical station being built in Wash DC
Washington state – returned 400 ventilators to national stockpile as need wanes
1.67million people tested
1,200 Abbott tests distributed to all public health labs, on top of 15,000 already distributed
Hydroxychloroquine malaria drug – and Z pack (for those w/out heart problems) – fed govt purchased stockpile – 29 million HC for hospitals, labs. Medical people need to approve. Working to get it approved for stocking at every pharmacy. More medical personnel say they are using the drug combo as prophylaxis.
Johnson & Johnson working on vaccine, as are other companies.
Working on largest economic relief package
States with veterans hospitals have been instructed to open up beds in Louisiana and in Michigan. Pharmaceutical trailer for Michigan.
Massachusetts – protect 2 nursing homes.
4,000 men/women dept. of veterans affairs fighting for people of US
SNAP users are still not able to use their cards to purchase groceries and items online.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Sparx Hockey in Action, MA, retrofits business to make PPEs.
6 States allow SNAP online purchases – RI did not complete the requirements with the FDA to be so authorized
Some photos on Twitter show drive through RI testing sites are empty of people
Massachusetts will set up 3 Steward hospitals as ICU Covid19 hospitals – and hope to keep St. Ann’s in Fall River Covid-free for other patients
NBC10 will live stream Easter Sunday mass from the Cathedral of St. Peter & Paul in Providence at 11am next Sunday
All Massachusetts residents now required to wear a face mask/covering
Boston curfew put in place – 9pm
Massachusetts fire and police are limiting public access to buildings – asking people to call rather than showing up in person
3rd ACI officer tests positive
Block Island has its first case of coronavirus
Gaspee Days has been canceled – for June
Governor’s Press Conference:
8 deaths (7 nursing home residents – 3 from Golden Crest; 2 from Oak Hill) – total 25. 116 new cases – 922 confirmed cases in RI
103 people in hospital
Other states are doing a better job at social distancing.
Assignment: Start a notebook, where you have been, who you have been with – every day – for extensive contact tracing – so you can turn your notebook in to authorities if you test positive. “I’ve asked you to limit your contact to the same 5 people every day”
Stop big groups of people in big box stores. If you see crowds, take a picture and put it on social media – or call DBR with a complaint.
Governor says she is going to go out in her truck to look for and break up big groups gathering
Testing: We now have ability to test over 1,000 a day – so if you are sick, call your doctor and go ahead and get tested. Without insurance or no Medicaid – still show up and get tested. All community health centers are an option for no insurance or an undocumented immigrant. Go to RI Free Clinic, Clinic Esperanza, or call RIDOH. Do not be afraid of people in National Guard uniforms, etc.
Need transportation for testing, on Medicaid? Call MTM Transportation at 855-330-9131 – only use as last resort.
RI is ramping up purchase of surgical masks – and “we are going to start distributing those”.
Looking at certifying out of country doctors, nurses, for use here in RI
RI is “right where it needs to be” in per capita testing.
RI is looking at ankle bracelet wearing – similar to Kentucky – to force compliance to quarantine.
Press Release:
Governor Gina M. Raimondo provided an update today on Rhode Island’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. While reiterating the importance of social distancing in big box retail stores, she asked that Rhode Islanders who see individuals or businesses failing to comply report their concerns to the RI Dept. of Business Regulation.
COVID-19 Data Update
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced today that Rhode Island has 116 new cases of COVID-19. This brings Rhode Island’s count to 922. RIDOH also announced eight additional COVID-19 associated fatalities. These people ranged in age from their 60s to their 90s. Of these eight people, seven were nursing home residents. Rhode Island’s number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is now 25. A full data summary for Rhode Island is posted online.