12 Cases Of Coronavirus Confirmed At RI Veterans Home

BRISTOL, RI — A dozen residents at the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol have tested positive for the new coronavirus. All residents and most of the staff were tested over the weekend after the first case was identified, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services said.

Gov. Gina Raimondo announced the first case at the facility on Friday, saying one resident and one member of staff tested positive. The first resident showed symptoms, said David Levesque, a spokesperson for the department.

After the first case was identified, all residents and much of the staff were tested over the weekend by the Rhode Island Department of Health and National Guard, identifying 11 additional resident cases. Some test results are still pending. None of these 11 people showed any symptoms, Levesque said.

All residents who tested positive have been placed in isolation, and the staff is working to notify family members. Testing will continue Monday for the remaining employees, Levesque said.