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Coronavirus Update – April 20, 2020
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Early investigation shows CDC labs were contaminated, resulting in testing problems, along with an uncomfortable protocol of cooperating with the public business/lab sector.
CVS has expanded to Connecticut with their rapid testing sites – now operating in Rhode Island, Georgia, and Massachusetts, too.
Nashville Freedom Rally: Group gathers at the Capitol to protest country shut-down – similar protests held in Maryland, Texas, and other states.
Vermont State College will vote today on permanently closing 3 campuses.
In NYC, discussions about turning off the subway, recognizing it as partly responsible for the spread of coronavirus, were ended when mayor said he would not do that.
NYC Mayor: $1K fine for social distance violators in city.
Belarusians flock to churches for Easter, defying calls to stay home
Britain is filing a plan for opening up their country this week
Connecticut requiring all residents to wear masks. Effective tonight by Executive order. Attorney is suing about constitutionality.
Shake Shack, late last night, said it would return $10M federal money received, designed for small business
New York past the high point of the curve, having had 1/3 of all the cases in the U.S.
President’s Press Conference
VP Pence notes Rhode island as being one of the states that has passed its peak
US has done 4 million tests more than twice that of any other country
Federal government will now help states in trouble with testing processes, training and supplies. Confirmed deliveries can’t be found in some cases, in others training on how to use the equipment is needed.
Cornoavirus is severely limiting drug cartels.
Monday there will be a conference call with all Governors again and they will be informed about testing supplies and plans.
Close on stimulus deal – which will look at helping rural hospitals – may have news Monday.
Millions of swabs are coming to states – President did a demonstration of what the swab looks like.
RI’s HONEYWELL will start mask production today.
Federal government procuring Battelle sterilization equipment – there are two other companies, too.
HHS director said we will now open up our Healthcare systems and leave it to the states, and the hospital/facility – can do some elective procedures, address surges, supplies, must screen patients, have process for social distancing and masks – it will be a gradual process.
Nursing homes are the most vulnerable. Federal govt will begin to pay for private labs to go out to nursing homes.
Transparency rules require nursing homes to notify families where there are cases in the homes.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Cranston has begun accessing RI Health Dept database of addresses with positive covid19 cases to inform their first responders when called to an address.
½ million masks coming to New Hampshire – and being distributed to those first responders for free.
RI said it is looking into starting a Battelle system in RI for disinfecting masks. Lifespan Hospitals & Care New England Hospitals say they are using systems from two different companies.
Newspaper editors are starting to speak up about loss of civil rights – and in Rhode Island, Tom Ward, of Valley Breeze: “This is a disaster already, and the state, in its singular focus on “flattening” (and thus, lengthening) the curve, is killing business and the private sector. Enough is enough!” as he calls on RI government for a specific plan to “create a road map for opening”, also acknowledging about loved ones in nursing homes, “we are forced to stay away from loved ones who live in assisted living centers and nursing homes. No visits, no family care packages. If they die, they die alone and without family members to hold their hands. Let me be among the first to say: No, this isn’t worth it. “ Providence Journal has carried at least 3 similar editorials in the past 2 weeks.
The RI Artist Relief Fund – will provide grants up to $1,000 – with an initial funding of $100K – artists in need should go to: https://risca.online/grants/artistrelieffund/ – the fund is designed for practicing artist, culture worker, or arts administrator experiencing financial hardship due to loss of income from covid19 pandemic.
RI Governor Press Conference
Data:
13 new deaths – 150 total deaths
230 new positive cases – 4,706total positives
29,993 total negative cases
34,699 total tested
254 in hospital, 70 in ICU, 43 on ventilators, 244 hospital discharges
Of the 13 deaths: 2 in 60s; 4 in 70s; 4 in 80s; 3 in 90s
11 deaths were from nursing homes: 3 Orchard View; 3 Stillwater; 1 Golden Crest; 1 Elmhurst, 1 Scalabrini Villa …
Nursing homes: plan was to do cyclical testing of patients and staff. Staff can only work at one facility.
Respiratory clinics: 36 clinics; 23 will see anyone. Mostly from your car. Locations are at Health.RI.gov/covid/testing – in Spanish, too.
Opening 1st drive up, walk up testing site – Prov Commun. Health Center at Bailey School in Providence. Still need an appointment. Call doctor, center, or health dept. first.
Anyone without insurance or immigration status irrelevant – you can get health services at any community health center.
Advertising effort coming up to reach Latino community.
Latino community so hard hit – why? – Governor seeking out advisors to reach the community. Need help to get message out to community about stay at home order, wear masks, social distancing. What do they need? Food delivery? Better access to care?
Funerals: no gathering greater than 5 people.
Masks: Employees of all businesses and nonprofits must wear cloth face covering. Businesses must provide them to their employees. So far, terrific compliance. Inspectors, unannounced, went out to over 200 locations, and found that compliance “was terrific”. Improvements: important mask cover both nose and mouth. Instagram: @maskofRI for photos. Also, at drive-throughs, all employees were wearing masks. Customers need to do so, too.
Dr. reinforced availability to access 911 or emergency care. Don’t ignore medical problems. Need good pre-natal care; babies need their vaccines and check-ups. Use TeleHealth, too. Remember that RI doctors’ offices are open. Urgent care centers can be used, too.
Hair Salons/Barbers – still working on policies to reopen
More guidance coming on summer travelers in to Rhode Island – may have a “check-in” system to determine if they are healthy, etc.
Asymptomatic testing – looking at how big a sample, and how often to do measure of how deep coronavirus has been exposed or had the virus.
ALL customers must wear a mask in a store. Haven’t yet said that customers can be asked to leave if they don’t wear a mask. May have to go there.
Mayor Marty Walsh notes today- Patriots’ Day and the Boston Marathon – we’ll be back!