The number of new COVID-19 cases in Rhode Island continues to fall below levels of previous weeks. Today state officials reported 101 new cases, bringing the total to date to 15,112. The state recorded 12 new fatalities since Monday, bringing the number of coronavirus-related deaths to 732.
During her daily COVID-19 briefing Governor Gina Raimondo noted that 70% of Rhode Island deaths due to coronavirus occur in nursing homes, which is higher than neighboring states. Raimondo said this disparity may exist for several reasons, including the fact that Rhode Islanders have been adhering to rules regarding face masks and social distancing, thereby limited spread in the community at large. Meanwhile, Rhode Island has lost 5.9% of its nursing home population to COVID-19 while Massachusetts has lost 8.8%.
The governor and RI Dept. of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott addressed the state's focus on nursing homes at Tuesday's press briefing and detailed steps being taken to stem the virus spread within the nursing home community, including ongoing training and testing for personnel at all facilities.