PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island’s confirmed coronavirus cases have surged past 3,000, Gov. Gina Raimondo said Tuesday, announcing seven new fatalities that have pushed the overall death toll to 80.
Another 275 cases were reported since Monday, bringing the total number of cases to 3,251, the Democratic governor said. Of those, 213 were hospitalized, she said.
Raimondo also announced a new executive order taking effect Saturday that will require everyone working in a “customer-facing business” to wear at least a makeshift cloth mask, with violators subject to fines. Such businesses would include grocery stores, pharmacies and other retail stores.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.
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GOP PRIMARY CONCERNS
The state Republican Party has raised concerns about the suspension of elections laws for the state’s June 2 presidential primary in response to the coronavirus crisis.
The party in a letter to the state Board of Elections on Tuesday said it was concerned about mail ballot fraud as a result of the suspension of laws requiring two people, or a notary, to witness the signing by voters of mail ballots.
“Don’t suspend laws that safeguard our elections,″ the party said.
The GOP also questioned whether the expense of sending mail ballot applications to all of Rhode Island’s roughly 789,000 registered voters for what is likely to be a “low-turnout” contest is necessary.
In response, election board Vice Chairman Stephen Erickson told The Providence Journal that the GOP’s concerns appear to be centered on “false claims of widespread fraud.”
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MORE FEDERAL AID
Rhode Island is getting nearly $1 million in additional federal emergency management funding to help the state’s fight against the spread of the the coronavirus.
The federal funds announced Tuesday by the state’s congressional delegation will help the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency work with local first responders to enhance emergency management and response capabilities.
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LOANS SNAPPED UP
A $10 million loan fund for small businesses and nonprofits in Rhode Island struggling during the pandemic was spoken for within hours of its announcement, according to officials.
The Goldman Sachs fund administered through Rhode Island Commerce, the state’s economic development agency, was announced Monday.
Within hours, the agency had announced that qualified borrowers had applied for all $10 million, and no further applications would be taken, according to The Providence Journal.
The loans of up to $250,000 are available to businesses that don’t have a solid relationship with a bank or lender, or that can’t apply for other loans.
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUNDS
State Treasurer Seth Magaziner is reminding victims of domestic violence during the pandemic that emergency relocation funds are available through his office.
The state’s Crime Victim Compensation Program can provide up to $5,000 that can be used for emergency hotel stays, as well as for a down payment and security deposit payments for a safe place to live, his office said in a statement Tuesday.
To be eligible, victims must file a police report within 10 days of the alleged crime.
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