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Coronavirus Update – Today – March 14, 2020
INTERNATIONAL
Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson are in isolation at a hospital in Australia
England – Anyone with new persistent cough or high temperature will have to self-isolate at home for 7 days
Kenya has its first case and cancels all large public gatherings
Brazilian president who tested positive – now tests negative
G7 leaders to meet by teleconference
Norwegian Air lays off ½ employees
All Hasbro offices, worldwide, closed
NATIONAL
ComicCon in Boston not happening
Biden/Bernie debate moved to DC, from Alabama, for Sunday night.
New York nursing homes – no visitation – all staff must wear masks, protective gear
Dallas, Texas going to state of emergency – crowd size limited to under 500
Ohio estimated to have 100,000 cases – closing schools until April 6 – believes it is widespread throughout the state
Oregon, Maryland, statewide school closures
Idaho reports first case
New York Public Library closes through March
Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and MSC Cruises all suspend for 30 days
Mayor of Miami, Florida tests positive, after meeting with Brazilian president who tested positive – Ivanka Trump in quarantine for 14 days
Louisiana primary just postponed for Democratic party
President’s Press Conference – Several big stores – Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, etc. going to use their parking lots for drive through testing – stores vowing to stay open – home screening test companies for those too ill to go in for testing, etc.
RHODE ISLAND & REGION
Governor’s press conference:
All schools closed next week in RI – moving up April vacation week, K-12 to next week – working on distance learning plans if this goes into next week after that – asking parochial and private to do the same
Child care & Day care facilities – encouraging them to stay open next week
Anyone who can work from home next week, do so – and keep children home with you.
BH Link as a resource for mental health care.
Boston schools closed through 4/27
Telemedicine services for physical & mental health care – covered by all insurance companies
NO VISITATION TO ANY NURSING HOME IN RI – NOW STATEWIDE – Raimondo, “You are forbidden from visiting…”
Visited outside of US – when you return you MUST quarantine for 14 days.
NO gatherings – sports, parties, schools, events, etc. – over 250. (bars on St. Patrick’s Day)
Advising to stay local – stay in RI.
Media: saying it is deeply unfortunate about bad info about the virus – ?
Governor will now do daily press conferences
Tested 200 people – only 14 positives – RIDOH testing 80+ a day
#s – 4 males; 4 females testing positive – includes 3 pediatric cases. 1 in nursing home, all others are home – Europe, Bahamas, Jamaica and local travel involved – contact tracing ongoing
Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade – sympathetic to income issues of businesses; much better to lose a week than an entire summer; all about containment; lost wages of gig workers – federal relief for all, including gig workers, as well as TDI, UI. Hopefully will be in in a week.
Twin River – shut down concerts – but not casino – haven’t ruled it out yet
Gov. is signing Executive order. All arrivals back in RI from any international travel must quarantine for 14 days.
Everyone should be staying local – only going out for essential needs. Seniors over 60 – be extra cautious. Others: ill, don’t go out at all.
From the Governor’s office:
As Rhode Island continues to respond to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Governor Gina M. Raimondo announced a set of broad measures today intended to limit or prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Rhode Island. These measures pertain to schools, nursing homes, and anyone who has traveled internationally in the last 14 days.
The announcement of these measures is coming as Rhode Island is announcing an additional nine cases of COVID-19. These people include four males and five females. There are three pediatric cases and six adult cases. While the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is still investigating each of these cases, we know that four unrelated trips were involved: travel to Europe, travel to the Bahamas, travel to Jamaica, and regional travel (to Massachusetts).
All of these people are recovering at home, except for one person who is recovering in their nursing home. This person is in isolation there. Staff are using appropriate personal protective measures and strict infection control measures.
“Preventing the spread of COVID-19 is Rhode Island’s highest priority right now and we are all coming together to put all of our resources toward reaching that goal,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “I have to thank my entire Cabinet for working around the clock on this to ensure that the measures we are putting in place will help prevent further spread of the disease and protect all Rhode Islanders. We have been preparing for this, and our extensive planning efforts are serving us well. We all have a role to play in this, and I thank everyone for doing their part.”
Governor Raimondo announced today that:
- All people who have traveled anywhere internationally in the last 14 days (and going forward) are being urged to self-quarantine. That means not going to work, not going to school, and staying home.
- All Rhode Islanders are being urged to avoid all crowded places, large events, and mass gatherings. This is social distancing. However, people should continue doing essential errands (such as going to the grocery store).
- Nursing home administrators have been directed to not allow any visitors (unless they are essential to the care of a resident). Additionally, nursing home administrators have been directed to continue actively screening staff, vendors, and all other people who enter facilities for illness and COVID-19 risks (for example, travel history or exposure to someone under investigation for COVID-19).
Childcare facilities are urged to remain open at this time.
“As I said earlier in the week, now is the time for us to use all of the strategies we have available to us to curb the spread of disease,” said Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH. “We realize that for this to work, we are all going to have to sacrifice, and we must do it consistently, together. We understand fully that social distancing and following these measures creates challenges for us all, yet these are the best methods we have to contain the spread of disease. By following this guidance, which is based on proven science, we can help protect our whole community, and especially our older adults and our most vulnerable populations.”
Data updates
These numbers are also available online.
- Number of Rhode Island COVID-19 positive (including presumptive positive) cases: 14
- Number of people who had negative test results at RIDOH’s State Health Laboratories: 142
- Number of people for whom tests are pending: 29
- Number of people who are currently instructed to self-quarantine in Rhode Island because they had direct contact with a person with COVID-19: approximately 500
Cranston West High School has one positive test result with a student – email instructs students, faculty and staff to self-quarantine for the next 14 days. Enrollment at Cranston West is 1,554 students.
Twin River closed one week
RI positive #s have gone from 5 to 14, not unexpected
The Providence Journal will close and phones will take messages which reporters will check – they will ALL be working remotely
RI legislature canceled hearings and activity for next week
RI Veterans Home closed to visitors
North Prov Sr. Center closed
RI Court Calendars suspended next week
Boston Archdiocese suspends masses (Baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals will be allowed to go on as planned with attendance limited to only immediate family)
Woonsocket Sr. Center closed
RIPTA buses announce new cleaning procedures
Attleboro schools closing
RI District Court closes Monday, cases continued unless defendant is in custody
Diocese says parish goers not obligated to attend mass on Sunday
RI State House is restricting hearings that may attract large numbers of the public
East Providence Sr. Center is now closed
Gallery Night Trolley Tours suspended
Pawtucket Charter School will close for 2 weeks (no contact issues)
Pawtucket’s Arts and Cultural Commission has postponed its Women’s Artists Exhibit for March 19th opening reception, however, the exhibit will be up at city hall through May 8th
Coventry Sr. Center closed – no meals; no Food Bank. Meals on Wheels will continue
Federal Hill Restaurant Assoc. working on increased delivery services
St. Kevin’s school closed due to a possible exposure (not yet rec’d test back)
Massachusetts has approved a $15Million coronavirus package
Massachusetts House & Senate have suspended activities at this time.
Massachusetts bans events over 250 people
Worcester schools closed yesterday
Marriott Long Wharf, host of Biogen meeting, closed
Boston officials, advocates call for halt on evictions
All Massachusetts AG prosecutors will request a 60-day continuance where individual is not in custody.
Boston Marathon tentatively set for 9/14
PREPAREDNESS
Estimated that by Sunday night there will be a series of locations for testing to be done throughout the US, to include parking lots of Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, etc. There will be no cost for this testing.