RI's Travel Advisory Status A 'Consequence' Of High Testing

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island is back on the travel advisory list in three states this week, despite having a low percent positive rate in the state.

The state's high rate of testing means a lot of cases are identified, raising the number of identified cases. Although Rhode Island is more focused on the percent positive rate rather than the raw numbers, many other states create their travel advisory guidelines based on how many cases were identified in the past weeks, regardless of how many people tested negative.

In the past week, more than 50,000 tests were COVID-19 conducted in Rhode Island, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Health said, and just 599 new cases were identified. In addition, hospitalizations are on the decline, and the current percent positive rate is 1.5 percent, well below the 5 percent threshold used to determine state travel advisories in Rhode Island.

Gov. Gina Raimondo said she called the governors of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts to ask them to take Rhode Island off their quarantine lists because "we're a safe place," and urged them to consider a percent positive approach rather than case numbers alone. None agreed.

"I'm trying," Raimondo said. "I'm on it, I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

The increase in case numbers is directly related to approximately 200 confirmed cases at Providence College and the University of Rhode Island, Raimondo said. Although the percent positive rate in the state may be low, students are reminded that their actions have consequences, she said. Everyone must do their part to keep Rhode Island's numbers low.

"This isn't right, it's affecting the entire state," she said. "We must hold students accountable for their off-campus behavior."