Thanksgiving May Take RI’s Coronavirus Cases and Deaths Even Higher - “400 to 500 Deaths" in Dec.
GoLocalProv News Team
Thanksgiving May Take RI’s Coronavirus Cases and Deaths Even Higher - “400 to 500 Deaths" in Dec.
Deaths increased to 16 for the one day and the state has lost 47 Rhode Islanders in the past week alone.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe 16 deaths were the highest single-day loss since May.
Dr. Michael Fine, former Rhode Island Director of Health, warns that the increased cases and hospitalizations coupled with significant Thanksgiving travel may be the recipe for a significant rise in infection and increases in deaths.
SEE FIVE MAJOR CORONAVIRUS DEVELOPMENTS BELOW
“I expect 400 to 500 deaths in December alone,” said Fine. "Don’t hang out with ten others over Thanksgiving.”
Fine on Tuesday was named technical advisor to the new House task force analyzing the state's vaccine distribution strategy.
Hospitalizations - One Day Net Increase 38
On Tuesday, RIDOH reported a one-day net increase in new cases of 38 hospitalizations. Hospitalizations have now hit 323 — the highest level since the first week in May.
Fine says the one piece of good news is that the length of time in the hospital for the average coronavirus case has dropped substantially. “The good news is the average length of stay Is down from 12 to five days,” said Fine.
More Testing Struggles
Despite repeated claims by Governor Gina Raimondo that her administration was making improvements to RI’s testing program including increased accessibility, the state’s testing program continues to lag.
While there was increased spread and demand for testing prior to Thanksgiving, on Sunday, which is generally a lower testing day, and on Monday, Rhode Island conducted fewer than 16,000 tests over the two days when the college testing numbers are deducted — an average of just 8,000 tests per day. Raimondo had repeatedly promised since May that testing would increase to 20,000 tests per day.
SEE FIVE MAJOR CORONAVIRUS DEVELOPMENTS BELOW
5 Major Coronavirus Developments — Hospitalizations Reach New U.S. Record
CDC May Shorten Time Frame
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may soon shorten the length of time it recommends that a person self-quarantine after potential exposure to the coronavirus. The federal agency is hoping that such a policy change will encourage more people to comply, a top agency official said.
CDC officials are finalizing recommendations for a new quarantine period that is likely to be between seven and 10 days and include a test to ensure a person is negative for COVID-19.
National Numbers
New daily cases 176,439, Up 42% over past 14-days
New deaths 2,203, Up 61% over past 14-days
Number of Americans hospitalized for coronavirus: 88,000+, a new U.S. record.
Pfizer Expecting to Ship in December
The Washington Post is reporting:
The federal government plans to send 6.4 million doses of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine to communities across the United States within 24 hours of regulatory clearance, with the expectation that shots will be administered quickly to front-line health-care workers, the top priority group, officials said Tuesday.
Gen. Gustave Perna, who oversees logistics for Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s effort to speed up treatments and vaccines, told reporters that state officials were informed on Friday night of the allocation, which is based on each state’s overall population.
Protests and Rallies
On Wednesday, a small business rally is scheduled.
Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Dan McKee will join the Rhode Island Small Business Coalition on Wednesday in a "socially distanced car rally" to call on the state to release an additional $150M in CARES Act funding.
The event is scheduled to start at the parking lot at 200 Hawkins Street at 10:30 AM, with a speaking portion at 11 AM.
The Coalition is calling for a release of the funding through a "simple, streamlined grant process."
And, on December 3, the Wedding and Event Coalition is hosting a separate event.
GoLocal LIVE on Wednesday
12:30 PM Dr. Michael Fine, Former RI Director of Health
1:00 PM Governor Gina Raimondo's weekly press briefing
