Raimondo: Six more deaths, 288 new cases of coronavirus

Governor talks unemployment insurance benefits during Friday's briefing

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There were six more deaths, 288 new cases and 169 people reported to be in the hospital in relation to the coronavirus, announced Gov. Gina Raimondo during her daily briefing Friday afternoon. That brings the number of fatalities in Rhode Island up to 49, with 2,015 cases total.

Of those six new deaths, health department director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott said one person was in their 60s, four were in their 90s, and one was in their 100s. Five of the six were nursing home residents.

Dr. Alexander-Scott made a special note that nursing homes throughout the state were working diligently to make sure their facilities were safe for both residents and staff.

“At the state level, we are working directly with nursing homes to get them the support they need,” she said.

Unemployment

With 132,000 jobless claims now filed over the last few weeks, Gov. Raimondo spent a good portion of Friday’s briefing providing a “comprehensive rundown” of the different benefits available for Rhode Islanders.

“The amount of economic sadness and hardship is mind boggling, it’s like nothing we’ve ever lived through before,” she said.

First, Gov. Raimondo said that everyone is guaranteed ten paid sick days as part of “a new federal benefit.” That is on top of any time off employees may already be receiving. Secondly, Gov. Raimondo said those who have been laid off or had their hours cut in relation to the coronavirus are eligible for unemployment benefits “as a general rule.”

There is now a third benefit two new classes of people are eligible for under the federal CARES Act, called pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) benefits. The first group includes self-employers and sole proprietors, like hair dressers and independent contractors. The second group includes high-risk individuals who have been told by a doctor to self-quarantine, as well as people who are the only ones able to take care of a child or loved one because their place of usual care has closed down in response to the pandemic.

But it may take a while to get these new benefits, Gov. Raimondo cautioned.

“You are going to have to go through a great deal of scrutiny to prove to us that you fit the criteria,” she said.

While she sympathized that it was “scary” at the moment for the people who are still going to work – like grocery clerks and healthcare workers – Gov. Raimondo asked that if they are still able to, then to continue doing so. She warned against anyone attempting to “slip through” the system and obtain benefits where they shouldn’t be.

“That is fraud, and there will be punishments,” she said.

Though claims are still taking one to two weeks to process – possibly closer to a month, for PUA-related benefits – Gov. Raimondo did have some good news to report on the subject.

“Everybody that is receiving a weekly payment will start to see an extra $600 starting next week,” she said.

She added that she would eventually like to see a similar kind of benefit for low-wage essential employees still going to work as well.

“I know that our federal delegation supports that and are fighting for that, and it is my hope that sometime soon I will be able to make an announcement to that effect,” she said.

RIPTA

Gov. Raimondo announced some changes to those using RIPTA services as well on Friday.

“As of today, RIPTA will be limiting capacity on all buses to no more than 15 passengers to allow for more space,” she said.

Those who are riding RIPTA buses will also be asked to wear cloth face coverings – something people should already be doing anyway, she added.

Domestic Violence

While Gov. Raimondo said it saddened her to know that there have been an increase in domestic violence 911 calls, she said it did not come as a shock. She encouraged anyone who might be suffering to reach out for help, noting that shelters and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence and its member agencies are still open. Courts are still open for these matters as well, she added.

“If you are hearing this, and you are a victim of abuse in your home, you’re definitely not alone,” she said.

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Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.