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Coronavirus Update – Today, Saturday, May 2, 2020
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Parts of Everglades National Park in Florida set to reopen
Orange County, California beaches were closed, though widely ignored; many say they being as careful as possible when out. There is no enforcement but there is in other beach areas.
Chicago‘s Freedom Movement USA is demonstrating in the streets
NYC nursing home reports 98 deaths
Michigan is seeing many large demonstrations, some individuals openly carrying weapons – the president encourages the mayor to – “see them, talk to them, make a deal…”
NBA postpones draft lottery
Rome’s parks will reopen
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday said he will issue an extension of his “stay home, stay healthy” order through May 31; continue a ban on public gatherings. Many businesses will have to remain closed.
1,000 NYPD officers will be on social-distancing patrol for warm weekend
Mississippi‘s governor said Friday that he was prepared to announce more re-openings of businesses but changed his mind because the state reported its highest single-day increases in coronavirus cases and deaths.
People in Louisiana could eat at restaurants again but had to sit outside at tables 10 feet apart with no waiter service.
Orange County, California beaches will remain closed, while residents of Huntington Beach, Dana Point, and Newport Beach have petitioned the courts to open their beaches.
Overnight, a number of California protestors were arrested for violating social isolation rules after large protests happened, and police continued to try and disperse crowds.
Michigan protests also saw several arrests in large protests
New Mexico governor seals off roads invoked the state’s Riot Control Act
Field Hospital in NYC closes down as last patient is discharged from their facility
“Operation Warp Speed” seeks to bring multiple vaccines to use in fighting coronavirus – with an ultimate goal of vaccinating 300 million Americans
395 hospitals will receive millions of federal funds for providing the most care in the pandemic – NY, NJ, Illinois most funding.
The VA to participate in clinical trials for blood plasma therapy, remdesivir and sarilumab
FDA grants emergency use for remdesivir
A one-day COVID-19 conference added to the end of AIDS 2020, an annual international conference on research developments. Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx will speak at the July event.
Coronavirus outbreak could last up to two years. The report warned that over the next 24 months, states, territories and tribal health authorities should prepare for periodic resurgences of COVID-19.
In NYC, more Hasidic large-crowd funerals were broken up by police, while the community leaders said it was unfair targeting
Florida protests to relieve stay at home orders saw counter protests from those citing medical reasons to keep stay at home in place.
Ferrari set to restart as 4.5 million people head back to work in Italy
Nearly 900 employees at a Tyson pork plant in Indiana test positive for coronavirus – employees live in congregate housing, take group transportation to work, etc.
First 7 miles of NYC streets will be opened to pedestrians, blocked to cars Monday
India extends lockdown by two weeks
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Massachusetts must wear face coverings when they cannot practice social distancing – this is for everyone over the age of 2. For all workers and customers – at all times in grocery stores, retail stores, public transportation – effective May 6th.
Signs have gone up in Tiverton, RI announcing the closing of all recreation areas, including Grinnell beach, and others to residents of Tiverton. Police are monitoring parking lots.
Community College of Rhode Island has announced that it will hold a virtual commencement on May 29, and that all summer courses will be delivered online. Graduates will be invited to also walk with next year’s graduating class.
Rhode Island supermarkets have begun limiting purchases of meat to 2 or 3 packages, to stave off a potential shortage – rumors of one are disputed, though they have had the effect of consumers buying many more packages than normal.
A decontamination unit for masks, made by Battelle, has been brought to RI by FEMA, with the capability of disinfecting 80,000 masks a day. Some medical groups have opposed reusing masks. Similar units are working in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Wheaton College has “affirmed [its] intention” to deliver a fall semester on campus, with precautions in place in order to ensure safety and health at the school.
Massachusetts has had hundreds of thousands of telehealth calls
Massachusetts – “More than six weeks after statewide social distancing measures began to take effect, the number of hospitalizations for COVID-19 infections is stuck in a stubbornly high place, and the daily death toll is at once tragic and numbing” – Boston Globe
Rustic Drive In preparing to open
11 ACI officers, 2 in custody test positive
Providence Journal’s Ed Achorn, editorial page editor, no longer with the paper
Wickford Art Festival is canceled
Gillette Stadium pretty much has canceled all events
Rhode Island Data 5-1-2020:
13 new deaths – 279 total deaths
341 new positive cases – 8,962 total positives
57,686 total negative cases
2,938 total tested, prior day 66,648 total tested
352 in hospital, 76 in ICU, 51 on ventilators, 485 hospital discharges
Of the 13 deceased – 1 in 30s, 1 in 50s, 4 in 70s, 5 in 80s, 1 in 90s, 1 over 100
200 in congregate settings – nursing homes; others
Parks: Phase 1, reduced capacity opening, increased enforcement, no cookouts or organized sports, limited time, 6 feet apart, same 5 people; Phase 2, relaxed standards
Beaches: Phase 1, not open; Phase 2, Memorial Day? – restrictive parking, and use of pavilion and bathrooms. Goal is to stay 6 feet apart, overall capacity restrictions. Continue to wear masks.
Childcare – work to open June 1, many changes in size, groups, etc.
Questions:
Revised data that happened yesterday – doesn’t impact dates for reopening. Not yet going down the curve, but we are on a plateau. Testing regime after stay at home order is released: Testing is one critical tool
Will stimulus money benefit illegal immigrants? Governor is concerned, population is afraid to get tested, treated. Regardless of political views, it’s in the interest of all Rhode Islanders to get this population tested and treated.
Garden Centers: Will be announced on Monday, stay tuned.
Providence street closures and parks – respects mayor’s decision – people deserve to go outside – no congregating – enforcement will be in place, Providence police.
Courts may extend closure beyond May 17th
Rental assistance program info to be made tomorrow.
Updated as of 4/29/20 – Long Term Care Assisted Living Facilities
| Weekly Cumulative COVID-19 Data by Long Term Care and Assisted Living Facilities with Two or More Resident Cases | ||
| Data as of 4/29/2020 | ||
| Facility Name | Cases | Fatalities |
| Long Term Care Facilities | ||
| Bannister House (Providence) | 2 to 4 | 0 |
| Berkshire Place (Providence) | 100 to 104 | 5 to 9 |
| Bethany Home (Providence) | 10 to 14 | 0 |
| Brentwood (Warwick) | 25 to 29 | Fewer than 5 |
| Cedar Crest (Cranston) | 2 to 4 | 0 |
| Charlesgate Nursing Center (Providence) | 55 to 59 | Fewer than 5 |
| Cherry Hill Manor (Johnston) | 2 to 4 | 0 |
| Crystal Lake Rehab & Care (Burrillville) | 20 to 24 | Fewer than 5 |
| Eastgate Nursing & Rehab (East Providence) | 5 to 9 | 0 |
| Elmhurst Healthcare Center (Providence) | 25 to 29 | 5 to 9 |
| Evergreen House Health Center (East Providence) | 10 to 14 | 0 |
| Friendly Home (Woonsocket) | 2 to 4 | 0 |
| Golden Crest (North Providence) | 95 to 99 | 25 to 29 |
| Greenville Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation (Greenville) | 20 to 24 | 0 |
| Hallworth House (Providence) | 5 to 9 | Fewer than 5 |
| Harris Health Care Center North (Central Falls) | 15 to 19 | 0 |
| Hebert Nursing Home (Smithfield) | 2 to 4 | 0 |
| Heritage Hills (Smithfield) | 5 to 9 | 0 |
| Hopkins Manor (North Providence) | 25 to 29 | Fewer than 5 |
| Kent Regency (Warwick) | 5 to 9 | 0 |
| Linn Health Center (East Providence) | 2 to 4 | 0 |
| Mount St. Rita (Cumberland) | 60 to 64 | 5 to 9 |
| Oak Hill Health Center (Pawtucket) | 80 to 89 | 15 to 19 |
| Oakland Grove Health Center (Woonsocket) | 60 to 64 | 10 to 14 |
| Orchard View Manor (East Providence) | 130 to 134 | 35 to 39 |
| Riverview Community (Coventry) | 20 to 24 | Fewer than 5 |
| Saint Elizabeth Home (East Greenwich) | 2 to 4 | 0 |
| Saint Elizabeth Manor East Bay (Bristol) | 10 to 14 | 0 |
| Scalabrini Villa (North Kingstown) | 65 to 69 | 10 to 14 |
| South County Nursing (North Kingstown) | 5 to 9 | 0 |
| South Kingstown Nursing & Rehab (South Kingstown) | 10 to 14 | Fewer than 5 |
| St. Antoines Residence (North Smithfield) | 10 to 14 | 0 |
| Stillwater Assisted Living & Skilled Nursing (Greenville) | 60 to 64 | 10 to 14 |
| Summit Commons (Providence) | 95 to 99 | 10 to 14 |
| The Ballou Home (Woonsocket) | 5 to 9 | 0 |
| Veterans Home (Bristol) | 10 to 14 | 0 |
| Village House Nursing and Rehab (Newport) | 2 to 4 | 0 |
| West Shore Health Center (Warwick) | 45 to 49 | Fewer than 5 |
| West View Nursing Home (West Warwick) | 25 to 29 | Fewer than 5 |
| Woonsocket Health Center (Woonsocket) | 50 to 54 | Fewer than 5 |
| Assisted Living Facilities | ||
| Darlington Memory Lane (North Providence – 1073 Mineral Spring) | 30 to 34 | 5 to 9 |
| Highlands on the East Side (Providence) | 10 to 14 | Fewer than 5 |
| The Lighthouse at Lincoln (Lincoln) | 2 to 4 | 0 |
| Wingate Assisted Living – Blackstone Boulevard (Providence) | 15 to 19 | Fewer than 5 |
| Note: These data are updated weekly and represent cumulative number of cases and deaths at each facility; they do not necessarily represent current positive COVID-19 cases. Because these data will change throughout the week, number ranges are being presented. Data last updated 4/29/2020. |