From the Governor's Office - February 19, 2021

Posted
DECLINING CASES
 
Our COVID-19 case numbers are continuing to head in the right direction. As of today, we stand at a 1.7% positivity rate — our lowest in months — and have had a precipitous drop in hospitalizations at a faster rate than our neighboring states and the rest of the nation. We also saw a decline in case counts and percent positivity among every age group during the past week.
 
There are two important factors that have fueled these results. The first is you. We couldn't have turned our numbers around without your patience and willingness to protect your fellow Rhode Islanders. Thank you, and please keep wearing your mask and getting tested regularly.
 
Secondly, we've been able to drastically cut our number of cases and, more importantly, our number of hospitalizations, by focusing our vaccination efforts on our most vulnerable populations: frontline health care workers, Rhode Islanders in congregate settings and high-density communities, and the oldest Rhode Islanders. Now that we’ve been able to shore up our health care system, we’re able to move forward with a focus on speed and scale.
FASTER VACCINES
 
As we move into Phase 2 of our vaccination plan, the name of the game is faster distribution at more centralized sites. This week, we opened up vaccinations to all Rhode Islanders 75 years and older; starting Monday, Rhode Islanders 65 and older will be able to sign up as well. Appointments can be booked online at VaccinateRI.org or by phone at 844-930-1779.
 
Yesterday alone, on the first day of our mass vaccination sites, we administered more than 10,000 doses. Let’s keep going. Rhode Islanders 75 and older can also contact CVS or Walgreens about getting vaccinated at a retail pharmacy location, or reach out to your local city or town government.
FREE MASKS
 
Recent CDC research has shown that one of the best ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially the newer and more contagious variants, is to wear either a tight-fitting mask or to layer a cloth mask over a high-quality medical mask. To make it easier for Rhode Islanders to do that, we're distributing more than 400,000 free KN-95 masks across the state over the next two weeks.
 
These masks will be provided to anyone getting tested for COVID-19. You can sign up to get tested today at portal.ri.gov at a location near you.
 
-Gina Raimondo
Governor

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