RI Hits Highest COVID Hospitalizations Since April - 50% Increase in 3 Weeks

RI Hits Highest COVID Hospitalizations Since April - 50% Increase in 3 Weeks

Rhode Island’s COVID hospitalizations have jumped to 149 — the highest number since April.

Since August 1, coronavirus hospitalizations in the state have jumped 50%.

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Dr. Michael Fine, in an interview on GoLocal LIVE, said that the pace of increase in hospitalizations is concerning as schools are yet to return.

“What's unpredictable is where we go from here. With schools reopening, with businesses happening again, and you know it's the beginning of the Jewish holidays next week, so people will be coming together,” said Fine.

“This is the opportunity for a much more transmissible Delta variant to be transmitted.  I'm hoping that all the precautions that schools are taking will help but remember the bulk of kids haven't been vaccinated and so I'm afraid that we may see you know a jump up again two to three weeks from now from this plateau,” said Fine.

 

RI’s Transmission Rate Continues to Increase

Rhode Island’s transmission rate has now jumped to 207 cases per 100,000. This count is more than twice the state’s action level.

In 2020, the state shut down schools in communities reporting more than 100 cases per 100,000.

Now, Rhode Island faces a higher transmission rate and a more contagious Delta variant.

The Rhode Island Department of Health defends the decision to reopen schools. “The landscape is different this year than last year. We understand the virus better, and schools have had more than a year to get COVID-19 mitigation measures in places,” said Joseph Wendelken, spokesperson for the RI Department of Health in an email to GoLocal.

“But most significantly, we have vaccines that significantly limit hospitalizations, and help slow community transmission of COVID-19. Roughly 90% of school teachers and staff have been vaccinated, and among eligible children, we have decent coverage rates. For example, among children 15 to 18, we have a 63% vaccination rate. We expect those coverage rates to increase as we continue to offer back-to-school clinics,” said Wendelken.

But, Fine warns that the spread of the virus will be caused by those children under 12 and that the majority of students are not vaccinated and cannot be vaccinated, because as of yet as there is no approved vaccine for those under 12.