Despite Record Cases, Raimondo Offers Few New Restrictions or Enforcement

Despite Record Cases, Raimondo Offers Few New Restrictions or Enforcement

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced Friday that she is reducing social gathering sizes from 15 to 10 — but has done little to date to enforce mandates, as coronavirus cases in the state continue to spike.

On Friday, the Rhode Island Department of Health announced 482 new cases on 14,562 tests on Thursday. When removing the 4,699 asyptomatic tests and just 20 positive cases at the state's colleges and universities, Rhode Island scored 462 new infections on less than 10,000 tests. RIDOH continues to mix the asymptomatic tests with symptomatic test results.

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Hospitalizations climbed to 152; there were 6 additional deaths reported. Rhode Island has now recorded 1,201 COVID-19 related fatalities. 

“Today — we have a chance to turn this around,” said Raimondo. “Right now in Cranston we have a field hospital with 300 beds ready to go, and we’re on a path to open it up in a few weeks. That would be hundreds of people who don’t need to be there, and $50 million a month to operate, and a lot of pain and suffering we can avoid.”

Raimondo “encouraged” people to write down the “ten or fifteen” people they have to be near for the next couple of weeks, and said she is lowering the social gathering limit. She offered no new restrictions on businesses, schools, restaurants, or retail. 

“Take very simple steps — write down the 10 or 15 people you absolutely have to be near,” said Raimondo. “Your family, a couple of coworkers — and commit that you’ll only see those people the next couple of weeks. That’s what we need to do right now if you want to keep that field hospital empty. That’s what we all need to do.”

Lowering Social Gathering Size, Addressing Sports Spectators, and More

“We really have to crack down,” said Raimondo, saying that that state social gathering limit will be reduced from 15 to 10.

“That needs to be a stable consistent closed circle. Shrink your social network and stick to that group for the next two weeks,” she said. 

Raimondo said that state investigators are currently looking into a recent high school party of more than twenty people that took place on the East Bay that could have led to spread — and that the state could fine the host up to $500 if the violations are deemed “egregious.”

“We’re going to start getting more aggressive with fines,” said Raimondo — nearly ten months into the pandemic. 

Raimondo also addressed sports in the state.

“We are no longer allowing spectators at sporting events for two weeks,” said Raimondo, who said “there will be exceptions for little kids.”

“The high school sports season only has a couple of weeks left. I really want to allow these kids to finish their season,” she said. 

“One-third of youth sports cases have been associated with hockey. Effective Monday, we are closing ice rinks and indoor sports facilities for one week,” said Raimondo.

Raimondo also encouraged religious places of worship to encourage online services.