What Rhode Islanders Need to Know About Major Coronavirus Developments - March 11, 2020

Brain Week is Canceled

The non-profit organization made the following announcement on Tuesday night:

In light of the developing COVID-19 situation and following the recommendations of several of our sponsors – Brown University, RIDOH, Care New England, Lifespan – Brain Week Rhode Island has made the decision to cancel this year’s events.  In addition to the hundreds of people who attend our events, many of the panelists, workshop leaders and speakers are health care professionals.  Our decision is intended to protect these people who are on the front line, as well as our audiences and supporters.  Considering the health concerns of the day, we are mindful of the people who might be at genuine risk or those who are concerned about exposing themselves.

We will reschedule Brain Week and make an announcement at that time. 

Roger Williams University Moves to Online Learning

Roger Williams University has told students not to return from spring break and is offering classes online.

The University joins a growing number of colleges and universities who are ending classroom instruction in order to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.

Grow Smart RI Has Postponed Biennial Power of Place Summit

The event was scheduled to feature keynote speakers Scot Spencer of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Washington Post syndicated columnist E.J. Dionne, Jr.  It will be postponed to a date still to be determined in June, 2020.

“After careful consideration for the health and safety of the approximately 500 people that we expected to attend the 2020 Power of Place Summit on Friday, March 27, we have made the very difficult decision to postpone the Summit”, said Scott Wolf, Executive Director.

Wolf said, “We didn’t take this step lightly … many factors, including speaker travel restrictions and advisories for older people to avoid large gatherings, contributed to our decision.  As an organization committed to helping Rhode Islanders achieve healthier neighborhoods and lives, we concluded that the only responsible option was to postpone the Summit.  We will continue to monitor public health advisories and will keep registrants, speakers and vendors updated”.

The biennial Summit typically brings together up to 500 business, civic and elected leaders, development and real estate professionals, architects, builders, community change agents, conservationists and policy experts from across the region to learn from one another about best practices in shaping stronger, more vibrant and resilient communities where people and business can thrive.  This year’s Summit, when rescheduled, will include 16-panel discussions, an awards luncheon, two prominent keynote speakers and multiple exhibitors.

Growing Number of Cases in RI

The Rhode Island Department of Health reported on Tuesday two new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The cases have been identified through testing at the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)’s State Health Laboratories. This brings the total number in RI to five.

Latest Cases

According to the Department of Health, the first individual is a female in her 50s. Her recent travel history includes travel to Egypt. The second individual is a female in her 30s. The source of this person’s infection is currently unknown. That is being investigated.

This second individual is a healthcare worker at a Rhode Island hospital. Both individuals are recovering at home.

As with all COVID-19 cases in Rhode Island, extensive contact tracing is being done for these cases. All people who have had direct, face-to-face contact with these people are being instructed to self-quarantine.

In MA, One Meeting and 70 Cases

One business meeting at Biogen has caused 70 of the 92 coronavirus cases in MA.

Sports -- Brown Issued Restrictions, But Other Colleges Have Not

On Tuesday, Brown University announced that it will heavily restrict attendance for all spring athletic events on campus due to the spread of coronavirus, the university announced on Tuesday.

“At this time, for all spring athletics competitions, attendance will be restricted to team members, coaches, essential staff and three invited guests per team member,” said Provost Richard Locke in a statement.

The move comes after the Ivy League announced that it was canceling its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments this weekend, as GoLocalProv reported.

Brown continues to emphasize that there are no confirmed or presumptive cases of coronavirus on campus.

PHOTO: Brown University

Newport St. Patrick's Day Is On

The Newport City Council voted Tuesday night not to cancel the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

GoLocal has confirmed that the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) had recommended to the parade organizers to cancel or postpone the event.

“The parade planning committee reached out to us for guidance. We did recommend the postponement or cancelation of the parade. Because COVID-19 spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within roughly 6 feet), canceling or postponing large events can help limit the spread of COVID-19 in Rhode Island,” said  Joseph Wendelken, the Public Information Officer for RIDOH.

City Flouts State Advisory

On Tuesday, the Newport City Council held an emergency meeting and voted not to revoke the parade permit. Mayor Jamie Bova, Jeanne Marie Napolitano, Kathryn Leonard and Lynn Underwood Ceglie voted in favor of the parade. The council chamber was packed with bar and restaurant owners and employees.

Council members Justin McLaughlin, Angela McCalla and Susan Taylor voted to revoke the parade’s permit. 

Boston has canceled its St. Patrick's Day parade for fear of spreading the virus. Both Rhode Island and Massachusetts have declared states of emergency due to the coronavirus.