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Rhode Island’s virus transmission rate rises for the week

By The Associated Press - | Sep 15, 2021

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The number of new confirmed coronavirus cases per 100,000 population in Rhode Island has gone up in the past week, to 213 for the week that ended Saturday from 207 the prior week, the state Department of Health said Tuesday.

Two other key weekly metrics used by the department to measure the spread of the disease have declined, however.

The weekly positive rate went to 2.5% for the week that ended Saturday, down slightly from 2.6% the prior week.

The number of new hospital admissions fell to 93, from 148 the previous week.

Rhode Island’s level of transmission remained in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “high” category.

The department reported more than 430 new confirmed cases of the disease and six additional virus-related deaths. More than 698,000 people in the state have now been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

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BROWN UNIVERSITY RESTRICTIONS

Brown University has paused in-person dining and placed a limit of five people for undergraduate social gatherings in response to a recent rise in confirmed coronavirus cases on campus.

The Ivy League school had 82 confirmed positive COVID-19 tests, primarily among undergraduate students, in the past seven days, according to a statement Monday.

“The increase in positive asymptomatic test results is a reflection of the transmissibility of the delta variant, our significant increase in the number of tests conducted at Brown, and an increase in our student population, some of whom have been engaging with other students in multiple smaller groups outside the classroom, especially indoors without masks,” the school’s statement said.

Those testing positive generally remain asymptomatic and there are no indications of serious illness and no hospitalizations, the school said.

There is no evidence of spread in classrooms, and classes will continue, the school said.

The “short-term” restrictions also include increased undergraduate student testing from once to twice per week and an indoor mask requirement.

Brown requires vaccinations for students and employees.

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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLOSES

A Rhode Island elementary school has closed for the day because of what the superintendent calls “a number of positive COVID cases.”

Johnston Superintendent Bernard DiLullo in a message to the school community said Winsor Hill Elementary will remain closed Tuesday to “allow for complete contact tracing to insure the safety for all,” WJAR-TV reported.

DiLullo said the school will be in touch with families to inform them of a plan going forward.