NEW: 19 Coronavirus Cases Reported at RI Schools in First Two Days

NEW: 19 Coronavirus Cases Reported at RI Schools in First Two Days

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced on Wednesday that two days into the school year, 19 cases of COVID-19 associated with K-12 education in the state were recorded. 

“By in large we’re having a great week — I spent most of Monday visiting a bunch of schools,” said Raimondo, at her weekly press conference. 

WATCH VIDEO: See Raimondo Press Conference HERE

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“100,000 [students] chose in-person learning — most schools stepped up and delivered,” said Raimondo. “The doors of most schools were open, and that was a great thing.”

“You’re on the right side of right getting these kids back to school,” Raimondo told Rhode Islanders. 

Cases

Raimondo announced Wednesday that at the dedicated K-12 testing sites in the state, there were eight positive cases out of 300 swabs over the last two days.

“There were another 11 positive cases associated — for a total of 19 — but those weren’t in our 14 dedicated K-12 sites,, which is fine,” said Raimondo. “Again, if you’re in K-12, it would be better if you could call for the same-day test.”

“Those individuals were contacted the same day, isolated immediately, and close contacts quarantined,” said Raimondo. “We’re off to a very good start. The rapid response is key to keeping a lid on the virus. We will continue to see cases in school — I’m confident we have the systems in place to handle it.”

Raimondo said the goal is to keep schools open moving forward. 

“We want to get to a place where we get a lid on the virus, and school continues,” she said. “We have a robust and sturdy system.”