COVID-19 related deaths in R.I rise to 10
PROVIDENCE, R.I (WLNE) – Governor Raimondo announced today that two more Rhode Islanders died from COVID-19 related illnesses.
This brings the total number of deaths to 10, with 77 new positive cases, bring the state total to 566.
Of the 566 positive cases, 60 of them required hospital treatment.
The two deaths were identified as a woman in her 50s and a man in his 70s, both with underlying conditions, according to Dr. James McDonald of the Rhode Island Department of Health.
McDonald also gave more information on Tuesday’s reported fatalities, saying that two were residents of the Golden Crest Nursing Center in North Providence and the other was a resident of Oak Hill in Pawtucket.
Raimondo said she is going to report numbers that won’t make residents comfortable, on the topic of the impending surge of illness.
According to the governor, the state will also be moving towards 1,000 COVID-19 tests per day starting Thursday.
On a positive note, Governor Raimondo announced a partnership with Roch’s Fresh Foods and other volunteer groups to launch RIDelivers.com.
RIDelivers is a website with resources for residents to arrange for food to be delivered to them.
The Governor announced a short-term bridge loan program for businesses with 10 employees or fewer to provide immediate cash. The loans are meant to tide businesses over until federal assistance funds arrive.
The $2 million fund is provided by Rhode Island Commerce’s Small Business Loan Fund and Bank Newport.
“The most heartbreaking stories I’m hearing now are the stories of small businesses who are closed and worrying if you’ll ever reopen,” said Raimondo.
If you are a small business that qualifies for the state’s short term bridge loan, call Rhode Island Commerce at 521-HELP.
Raimondo also highlighted some positive things the state has done amid the pandemic.
She was proud to mention that Rhode Island was the first or one of the first state’s in the country to do distance learning.
She noted there are 140,000 school children in 310 schools on distance learning, with 97% positive feedback.
“If you’re a teacher, a principal, a school resource officer, giver yourself a pat on the back,” Raimondo said.
Governor Raimondo, Director of Health, Doctor Alexander-Scott, and Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green will host a briefing specifically aimed towards children with questions about coronavirus tomorrow.
The Governor says over 12,000 questions have been submitted by the state’s children.
©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2020
