7 Major Coronavirus Developments — RI Near Bottom in New England at Testing — April 6, 2020
GoLocalProv News Team
7 Major Coronavirus Developments — RI Near Bottom in New England at Testing — April 6, 2020
However, Rhode Island’s program continues to sputter and is far behind Massachusetts, Vermont, and the Governor's own promises.
“A widespread lack of access to testing in the early weeks of the U.S. outbreak means people with respiratory illnesses died without being counted, epidemiologists say. Even now, some people who die at home or in overburdened nursing homes are not being tested, according to funeral directors, medical examiners and nursing home representatives,” reports the Washington Post on Monday.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTWATCH: Former RI Director of Health Dr. Michael Fine on GoLocal LIVE at 12 PM on Monday
On Sunday, Governor Gina Raimondo said, “We hope to ramp on the testing so we have a more accurate account of those with coronavirus.” Raimondo has uttered nearly the exact same phrase at nearly every press conference for a month.
Since early March, when testing began, Rhode Island has averaged fewer than 180 tests per day.
While Raimondo continues to make the pledge to expand testing, one month later the Governor’s testing program has missed all of her deadlines and failed to meet her claims -- even on Sunday.
Raimondo claimed that 1,000 tests are now being implemented. On Saturday, 822 tests were completed according to the Rhode Island Department of Health data.
Raimondo bristled during her Sunday press conference claiming that GoLocal’s question that outlined that Rhode Island was ranked at the bottom of New England states was "inaccurate."
READ 7 Major Coronavirus Developments for April 6, 2020 BELOW
The most effective in testing has been Massachusetts and Vermont — Rhode Island is functionally tied with New Hampshire and ranks only above Maine — two large rural states.
The below ranking is based on data provided by the respective departments of health and includes all data through and including Saturday, April 4.
Massachusetts Total Tests: 68,800
Population: 6,547,629
Per Capita: 1.05
Vermont Total Tests: 5,844
Population: 628,061
Per Capita: 0.93
Connecticut Total Tests: 22,029
Population: 3,563,077
Per Capita: 0.62
Rhode Island Total Tests: 6,390
Population: 1,056,161
Per Capita: 0.60
New Hampshire Total Tests; 8,032
Population: 1,371,246
Per Capita: 0.59
Maine Total Tests 6,544
Population: 1,345,790
Per Capita: 0.49
7 Major Coronavirus Developments — April 6, 2020
Job Loss Numbers Are Mind-Boggling
The latest numbers of layoffs in Rhode Island are beyond the unimaginable.
Going into the coronavirus crisis, the state had near-record-low unemployment -- with a workforce of 550,000 and unemployment of just 20,000.
Since March 9, more than 96,000 have filed for unemployment and another 14,000 for temporary disability insurance. Now, an estimated 130,000 Rhode Islanders are out of work.
CVS Rolling Out Protective Shields
GoLocal was contacted by a number of readers regarding CVS stores not having protective shields for cashiers and pharmacy staff.
Here is what corporate spokesman Michael DeAngelis for CVS tells GoLocal:
"Protective shields started rolling out to our stores almost 2 weeks ago, starting with our stores in the hardest-hit areas like NYC. By this week all of our stores will have them in both the pharmacy and front checkouts."
Arizona Governor Secures Millions of Masks from Honeywell, Raimondo's Administration Refuses to Respond to Questions
The Phoenix Business Journal reports, "Gov. Doug Ducey on Saturday said that Honeywell International will ship 6 million of its protective masks to be made for health care workers at its Phoenix facility to Arizona over the next 12 months.
The Arizona Department of Health Services will deliver them to county health departments for further distribution to health care, safety and emergency response workers in the state."
Honeywell is hiring 500 Rhode Islanders in Smithfield. GoLocal asked Josh Block of Raimondo's office if the Governor was able to secure masks for Rhode Island hospitals, Block refused to respond to questions.
Numbers
922 Cases in Rhode Island
12,500 Cases in Massachusetts
25 Deaths in RI
231 Deaths in Massachusetts
336,851 Cases in the United States
9,620 Deaths in the United States
1,351,989 Global Cases
69,825 Global Deaths
264,794 Global Recoveries
Burrillville Innovation
Burrillville High School engineering teacher Andrew Aldrich is coordinating a 3D printing effort with the help of the students to produce face shields for first responders.
SUPPORT THE EFFORT HERE
"We have increased our printing capacity and have many people in the community helping out. We have an order of over 200 to fill. Donations of materials are coming in from all over! First 11 shields delivered to Harrisville FD already. Let's do this! BIG "Thank You" to Engineering Teacher Mr. Aldrich and our Engineering students. #AloneTogether #BroncoPride"
This fundraiser will provide a central donation place so that Mr. Aldrich and the community of engineers can continue producing materials for our town and beyond if/when needed during this crisis.
Queen Makes Address and PM Boris Johnson is Hospitalized
Queen Elizabeth II made a rare address Sunday -- on the coronavirus crisis.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was taken to a London hospital on Sunday evening with "persistent symptoms" - including a temperature - for a series of routine tests.
It is said to be a "precautionary step" taken on the advice of his doctor, reports the BBC.
Johnson, 55, tested positive for coronavirus 10 days ago.
PHOTO: Commonwealth Office
GoLocal LIVE Coronavirus Coverage Monday, April 6
11 AM Judge Brian Stern and Attorney Mark Russo answer questions about business protection program implemented by the Superior Court in response to disruptions caused by COVID-19.
12 PM Dr. Michael Fine, former RI Director of Health
1 PM Governor Gina Raimondo's Briefing
