RI Coronavirus: 2 More Deaths, Latest Town Numbers

PROVIDENCE, RI — There have been two more coronavirus deaths in Rhode Island, the state's Department of Health announced Thursday, bringing the death toll to 12. Ninety-one new cases were announced, bringing that total to 657.

The two deaths were elderly women, one in her 80s and the other in her 90s, the department said.

Anyone who is sick, even a little, must stay home and self-quarantine, the department reiterated. That means not going to the grocery store or venturing out for other essential errands. Resources are available for those who cannot leave their homes, such as the RI Delivers website, which helps residents find grocery deliveries in their area.

"As we learn more about the virus, we know that some people with COVID-19 have only experienced one or two mild symptoms," the department said. "People with COVID-19 have experienced a range of different symptoms."

Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, chills, runny nose or stuffy nose, sore throat, headache or diarrhea.

Rhode Islanders can only be tested for COVID-19 if they have a referral from their primary care provider. Those without one who think they need a test can call a nearby urgent care clinic. Unless it is an emergency, call your doctor before going to a health care facility.

As of Thursday, the state now has the capacity to test all symptomatic Rhode Islanders.

"The expanded approach of testing all people with symptoms represents a significant change," the department said. "COVID-19 testing in Rhode Island had previously been limited to the members of certain priority populations who are more vulnerable to complications from COVID-19, such as nursing home residents, or who are members of Rhode Island’s critical infrastructure workforce, such as healthcare workers."

With the ability to test more Rhode Island residents, the health department will be able to get a better idea of how much the virus has spread in the state.

The latest town-by-town numbers are listed below.

• Barrington: 13
• Bristol: 7
• Burrillville: 10
• Central Falls: 11
• Charlestown: less than 5
• Coventry: 15
• Cranston: 54
• Cumberland: 21
• East Greenwich: less than 5
• East Providence: 21
• Exeter: less than 5
• Foster: less than 5
• Glocester: less than 5
• Hopkinton: less than 5
• Jamestown: less than 5
• Johnston: 11
• Lincoln: 11
• Little Compton: less than 5
• Middletown: 9
• Narragansett: less than 5
• New Shoreham: 0
• Newport: 9
• North Kingstown: 10
• North Providence: 61
• North Smithfield: less than 5
• Pawtucket: 91
• Portsmouth: 7
• Providence: 102
• Richmond: 0
• Scituate: less than 5
• Smithfield: 12
• South Kingstown: 12
• Tiverton: 6
• Warren: less than 5
• Warwick: 30
• West Greenwich: less than 5
• West Warwick: 12
• Westerly: 8
• Woonsocket: 9

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