2020-03-30

114 new cases, 408 total, 4 deaths total, 1 new - a man in his 70s. 41 hospitalized. There have been 15 cases in 3 different nursing homes. This briefing was mostly about education. K-12 is going very well, but still have much to do. [RI has 142,000 K-12 students, which is a fraction of large US cities' school populations. Communication is therefore much easier.] Distance learning will continue until end of April. Buildings are closed. Working on getting all staff involved, teaching assistants, counselors, social workers, therapists, etc. ESL instruction is happening. Providers are enabling free hotspots for people with cell phones and no internet connection through May 18. Announced April Reading Challenge for everyone in RI, and especially kids to read something - anything - every day. Book donations/collections are being organized. Many great stories and innovations: one phys ed teacher in Central Falls has a pushup challenge going, for instance. Governor will have a special press conference for kids on Thursday. Mobile testing sites at URI, CCRI, and RIC are set up, but people MUST have appointments made by their PCPs. RI has had 200 ventilators and is working on acquiring 600 more. Much more detail in the briefing, but these are highlights.
Education Announcements: https://www.ri.gov/press/view/38044