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Your Coronavirus Update – Today – July 25, 2020
Photo: Courtesy RI DEM
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
The WHO has said that the pandemic is controllable, and will take ‘an all-of-government approach,’ WHO says
AMC is pushing back reopening of most U.S. theaters until mid- to late-August.
Lucky Brand, GNC, Modell’s Sporting Goods, J Crew, and Neiman Marcus have filed for bankrupty.
Ann Taylor, The Loft, Justice, Catherines, Lou & Grey are closing – some with stores in RI
“Star Wars” and “Avatar” sequels have also been delayed by a year
Companies joining the mask-required list are Bed Bath & Beyond McDonalds, ALDI’s, The Gap, Petco, Starbucks, Panera, Home Depot, and Costco.
150+ doctors urge the US to shut-down once again
64 children have died since the beginning of COVID19. The youngest are said to get it less, and transmit it less.
Disney delays release of ‘Mulan’ indefinitely
16% of Florida ICU beds remain available
In Arizona, COVID-19 patients are being transferred to New Mexico hospitals because of staffing shortages and a lack of beds
In Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser said Friday she’s signing an order that will require travelers from coronavirus hot spots to quarantine for two weeks when arriving in the district. This takes effect July 27, will not apply to Maryland and Virginia. Masks are required in D.C. for people ages 3 and older. Violators could be fined up to $1,000.
10 million workers who will need to find a new employer, if not a new occupation
HHS has officially renewed the public health emergency designation that is tied to significant funding for healthcare providers and state Medicaid programs.
Humana is mailing more than 1 million in-home colon cancer and diabetic management screening kits to members, ensuring members have access to preventive care and that Humana maintains its Medicare Advantage star ratings.
Baker issues strict new rules on people traveling to Mass., including possible $500 per day fine for violators
Massachusetts has a new travel order going into effect Aug. 1 and applies to all travelers entering the state, including both out-of-state residents and Massachusetts residents returning home. Everyone coming to the state must fill out a “Massachusetts Travel Form” and quarantine for 14 days unless they are coming from a state where the coronavirus risk is lower or they can produce a negative coronavirus test result administered no more than 72 hours prior to arriving in Massachusetts,those lower risk states will include: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Hawaii.
The CDC put up a new guideline for going back to school:
Massachusetts is starting the Distressed Restaurant Trust Fund, composed, in part, from sports betting income.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
One nursing home – Bannister House in Providence – is experiencing a significant outbreak with approx. 25 residents positive for the virus. Visitation has been suspended. They have 160+ residents. Morgan Health Center Nursing and Rehab in Johnston and West View Nursing Center in West Warwick are each experiencing a few (less than 5) new cases. The National Guard is assisting Bannister House in getting control of the spread.
Over $71 million from CARES federal funding coming in to RI for 5 local hospitals.
Back to School Discussions are happening in communities throughout the country – RI is no different. The Governor has Facebook lives once a week – many Facebook groups are being held to foster dialogue. With the risk to young children relatively low, and the risk to those over 60, or 50, very real, the discussion about returning teachers and staff over these ages has not happened in any organized way.
New England Patriots begin arriving in Foxboro – a testing plan goes into effect over the next 2 weeks.
Open Air Saturdays starts Aug. 1 on Providence’s Westminster Street, between Eddy and Union, from 10am to 6pm. The streets will close to traffic and allow open air and indoor shopping and dining. Visitors should wear face masks and socially distance. Hand sanitizing stations provided.
In response to the economic fallout wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Diocese of Providence has made the difficult decision to permanently eliminate 10 positions in its Central Administration and has reduced the hours of other staff in the face of the decline in both weekly parish donations and contributions to the annual Catholic Charity Appeal.
From the Valley Breeze: “Carpionato Group President Kelly Coates is now telling The Breeze that the mixed-use project on 25 acres of mostly blighted land (Narragansett Park Lifestyle Center) is now “100 percent under COVID,” meaning no work is proceeding due to difficulties.”
Rhode Island College will offer mostly online learning this fall.
North Providence Town Council President, Dino Autiello, who works as a deputy director of constituent affairs in the Rhode Island Senate, is ill with coronavirus. He said he thinks he may have contracted it after a charity golf tournament because other people who participated in an event following the tournament have tested positive. His office in the Senate is now closed for two weeks.
Central Falls has a spike in cases, saying it can be traced back celebrations on the Fourth of July and Cape Verdean Independence Day, and from some residents who have traveled to Florida.
The Newport Show is now online, virtually – at www.thenewportshow.com
The Coronavirus testing at the Community College of Rhode Island (Knight Campus) will cease at the end of the day on Sunday, July 26th. This testing site is shifting to the Rhode Island Convention Center, as the Rhode Island College testing site did earlier this week. The address is 114 West Exchange Street in Providence, in the parking garage. The testing site is a drive-up site. The access road connecting West Exchange and Sabin Streets is restricted to test site traffic and emergency vehicles only. Because of the low clearance in the garage, trailers, RVs, and other oversized vehicles cannot be accommodated at this time. The site operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tests are available by appointment only. This is for symptomatic people and certain asymptomatic people. People who are symptomatic can get a test scheduled for them by a healthcare provider. People who are asymptomatic can schedule a test if they work in a high-contact profession. Asymptomatic Rhode Islanders who have recently traveled to a place with an elevated positivity rate can also be tested. To schedule a test, visit portal.ri.gov.
Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza has extended current COVID-19 guidelines through August 19. The Providence port and harbor is closed to all commercial cruise line passenger vessels of all sizes and capacities and disembarkation is prohibited at any public or private facility within the city. First quarter tax payments, normally due July 24, can be paid without interest or penalty through Friday, August 14, and are asked to pay by mail or online. Payment through check or money order (no cash) can be made using the drop-box located outside of the Eddy Street entrance of City Hall.
A message from Thorr Bjorn, URI Athletics…
Answering a few questions regarding the recent announcements from the Atlantic 10 and CAA on the 2020 fall sports season.