Governor Gina Raimondo announced Thursday that workplaces must keep their break rooms closed for the next ninety days. State health officials said small gatherings, such as those in break rooms, are the major source of new COVID-19 cases across the state.
John Bender
Reporter
John Bender was the general assignment reporter for The Public's Radio for several years. He is now a fill-in host when our regular hosts are out.
Posted inArticle, Health
Rhode Island to conduct an independent evaluation of future COVID-19 vaccines
There is still no reliable timeline for when a vaccine may be available, though the state plans to spend tens of millions to ensure its availability when the time comes.
Posted inArticle, Education
After 38 students test positive for COVID-19, Johnson and Wales cancels in-person classes
The decision comes just days after Providence College announced it is preparing to bring students back to class, after a two-week lockdown.
Posted inArticle, Education
Johnson and Wales University reports 31 cases of COVID-19 among students
The university, which has two campuses in Providence, reported the spike in cases Wednesday evening. The 31 students all live off-campus according to Johnson and Wales officials. The school has not said whether the spike in cases was the result of a single incident, or flouting COVID-19 policies. No students have shown more than mild […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Community College of Rhode Island will remain largely online through spring 2021
Just one month into the fall semester, the state’s public community college has already determined classes will remain largely virtual until at least the summer of 2021. Currently, about a quarter of the college’s courses are being offered in-person, or hybrid style. “There are two practical reasons for making a decision now, rather than later […]
Posted inArticle, Education
In first weeks, 20 COVID cases and more than 150 quarantined at Providence Schools
Providence public schools reopened on September 14th. In two weeks, 17 students and three staff members have tested positive for the virus across 11 buildings. As a result, 44 staff members and 134 students have been required to quarantine. According to district spokesperson Laura Hart, none of the cases appear to be related, with the […]
Posted inArticle, Education
At RI’s public colleges, enrollment drops and budget shortfalls soar
With enrollment declines and delayed state budget appropriations, the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the Community College of Rhode Island are facing a combined estimated budget shortfall of more than $60 million.
Posted inArticle, Education
For Providence College students, a somber start to the semester
Providence College students have been living in lockdown for the last week, as the college tries to contain the outbreak of COVID-19.
Posted inArticle, Education
Providence College extends online classes through next week, amid COVID-19 outbreak
Providence College’s classes will remain online until at least October 3rd, the private, Catholic college announced Friday. The college is working to contain an outbreak first reported last week with a spike of 67 positive cases in one day. As of Friday, the number of positive cases had reached 219, with a positivity rate since […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Providence College now reports more than 200 cases of COVID-19
College officials reported 14 new positive cases on Thursday, bringing the total to 205. The school spent the last week testing every student, and is expected to finish up testing by Friday. The positive case rate over seven days is now 2.5 percent. The neighborhood surrounding the college, typically filled with the sounds of students […]