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Coronavirus Update – Today, April 23, 2022
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Tyson Foods suspends its largest pork plant after an outbreak.
Federal government may form a “Health Force” that would recruit, train and employ Americans — ideally, pulling from among unemployed during the pandemic — into public health and health care careers.
Yale says it will not seek relief funds, it is eligible for – wants it to go to others
Los Angeles County to offer tests to essential workers who don’t have symptoms
Oklahoma to start reopening businesses starting Friday
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky has begun suggesting bankruptcy could be a tool to restructure for cities and states
Seven more big cats – tigers – at Bronx Zoo test positive for coronavirus
Researchers showing conditions most likely to complicate coronavirus are obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure
Las Vegas mayor says city could be a ‘control group’ for easing coronavirus restrictions, as she plans opening the casino city, with little guidance on social distancing, etc.
NYC Mayor has a plan to greatly expand testing for the coronavirus in the city, six new test sites will open in the next few days that will prioritize the approximately 400,000 residents in public housing.
After reports surfaced all day that Harvard would not return the money they had gotten from the stimulus plan, the President announced last night that they have not yet received it and will not accept it.
NYC Fourth of July fireworks will go on in some fashion, mayor says
Fire departments around the country are warning people not to microwave their face masks to sterilize them, saying it will likely cause a fire.
London Fashion Week moves online
Japanese park beheads 100,000 tulips during coronavirus state of emergency, as a way of preventing thousands coming together to pick them.
142 Italian doctors have died of COVID-19
The results of a highly anticipated study on an experimental coronavirus treatment using remdesivir, for the sickest patients are expected any day.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
White Dog Distilling in Pawtucket now making hand sanitizer
Paolino Properties in Providence announced they will begin using high tech “Seek Scan” to scan people entering their buildings for temperature.
Expect an executive order by Gov. Raimondo to broaden the use of the mail ballot for the June election because of the pandemic.
The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation has teamed up with its founding sponsor, Gem Plumbing & Heating Services, and Belmont Market to deliver groceries to cancer patients.
FGX Eyeglasses in Smithfield is laying off more than 340 workers in RI
A Connecticut police department said it plans to begin testing a “pandemic drone” that could detect whether a person 190 feet away has a fever or is coughing.
Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg to lead regional contact tracing effort for NY, NJ and CT – similar to one used in So. Korea.
Wyatt has agreed to release one of the three medically vulnerable detainees after the ACLU filed suit. Detainee released to family in RI.
Test site at URI to be closed due to lack of use
Connecticut has teamed up with a group of scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University and other research institutions who’ve created an app – HowWeFeel.org that will provide more information about the spread of COVID-19 as officials prepare to eventually reopen Connecticut.
R.I. Trucking Association is urging the state to allow all businesses to re-open immediately under “Manufacturers’ Pledge Model”
Taylor Farms New England, food processing facility at the Quonset Business Park has become a COVID-19 hotspot, with about 100 cases at their plant. They make salad and other fresh foods for grocery stores.
RI Governor Press Conference
Data – 4-22-2020
10 new deaths – 181 total deaths
365 new positive cases – 5,841 total positives
35,881 total negative cases
2,413 total tested, prior day
41,722 total tested
270 in hospital, 71 in ICU, 44 on ventilators, 315 hospital discharges
10 new deaths: 2 in 60s, 1 in 70s, 4 in 80s, 2 in 90s, 1 over 100.
6 female; 4 male
8 were nursing home residents
49 long term care facilities with at least 1 case
Governor says this data is stabilizing and that is good news.
Public private partnerships are key to success. TY to field hospital setup, building trades.
TY to Rev. Shanley, Providence College – transforming their dining hall to provide food for Cranston overflow facility, if used.
6 key indicators to open economy. Will not be flick of the switch.
Older Rhode Islanders: What might life look life in months to come. Recommends NextDoor.com and RIDelivers.com option if you are 60+ and have to stay home. When we open economy, we will have to pay special attention to this age group. As we relax stay at home orders, we have to come to term now that your re-entry will be different and regulations designed for you. Figure out a support structure.
Older you get, worst this disease is if you get it. Doubly important for those 70 and over.
New rules for those over 60 – when we reopen there will be more cases. Brutal reality. Additional guidance: what changes will we need to work at workplaces? Additional social distancing, testing, safety, more working from home.
Reopening of parks and beaches will be in first phase of lifting restrictions. DEM will come up with a phasing in plan. Will announce by end of next week – May is set for potential opening. Cautions us on littering.
RI Covid 19 Self Checker website – working with Diagnostic Robotics – new website – CovidSelfCheck.ri.gov (state is partnering with Survey Monkey – they will be linked in to contact tracker) People are sitting home anxious with symptoms, this is for that. Diagnostic Robotics says it will have a hotspot predictor functionality, and they might want RI to go there.
Contact Tracing – Right now the state has 100 people doing that function. DOH and National Guard. Will be bringing on a call center company to handle more volume.
Protest set for Saturday – people are frustrated, free to express views, will let Col. Manni handle – how many show up, congregating, size, etc.
Question from reporter about some legislators are “riling up” people – Gov: “it’s not helpful” – praying on people’s fears, scaring people, etc. are not helpful – and will only slow down opening up the economy.
Dr. Scott provided warnings about entering the tick season – Lyme Disease.
“I want some of the people in that older age group to come to terms now that your re-entry is going to be a bit slower, different and designed to keep you healthy,” Raimondo said. “I don’t know precisely what the age restrictions are going to be in different age brackets …. I just want everyone to be thinking upon these lines and be prepared for a week from now when we start to get into more details [and] you’ve had time to think about it.”
Employers will have to make extra accommodations for older employees, the governor said.
“Many of them will have to go to work, but just under a different set of conditions,” she said. “Maybe that means additional sick leave. Maybe that means additional social distancing. Maybe that will be additional testing …. They will be encouraged to work from home whenever possible.”
Governor’s Press Release:
• Self-checker tool: Today, the state launched the Rhode Island COVID-19 Self-Checker: a web-based, mobile friendly tool that will help Rhode Islanders make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care and testing. Rhode Island is the first state in the nation to partner with Diagnostic Robotics to adopt this proven system for the coronavirus crisis. The Rhode Island COVID-19 Self-Checker is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The tool asks a series of questions related to symptoms, potential exposures, and other risk factors and will help users make decisions about when to seek care and testing. It also offers tips related to prevention, testing, quarantine, and isolation. The guidance offered through the Self-Checker is based on CDC guidelines and has been customized to connect Rhode Islanders with local information and resources. • Memorial Hospital testing site: The state is opening a new walk-up site at the location of the former Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket. This site will serve in conjunction with the drive-up respiratory clinic that’s already operational at the former Memorial site. Appointments for testing are required. Anyone in Pawtucket experiencing COVID symptoms – fever, cough, shortness of breath – who is looking to be tested at this walk-up site should call 401-CARE-NOW.
COVID-19 Data Update Rhode Island has 365 new cases of COVID-19. This brings Rhode Island’s count to 5,841. RIDOH also announced 10 additional COVID-19 associated fatalities. Of these 10 people, eight were nursing home residents. Rhode Island’s number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is now 181. A full data summary for Rhode Island is posted online (see below).