The state also ordered healthcare workers, including those at nursing homes, to wear masks at all times while working.
__
DEATHS, HOSPITALIZATIONS RISE
Eight people have died in Rhode Island from the new coronavirus, up from four reported as of Monday.
State Health Department Director Nicole Alexander-Scott said Tuesday that the number of people hospitalized also climbed to nearly 60 from about 40 as of Monday.
Rhode Island has nearly 500 confirmed cases of the virus as of Tuesday, up almost 90 from Monday, she said.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.
___
BEACHES, PARKS CLOSED
Rhode Island’s state beaches and parks will be closed effective Friday.
Raimondo also announced that the opening of campgrounds will be delayed at least until May 1.
The Democrat said she is issuing the order because of reports of large group gatherings at the state’s public spaces.
___
JOBLESS CLAIMS CLIMB
Roughly 80,000 Rhode Islanders have filed claims for jobless benefits because of the pandemic, state labor officials said Tuesday.
About 74,000 residents have applied for unemployment insurance benefits and nearly 7,000 have applied to temporary disability benefits citing virus-related reasons.
___
COURTS CLOSED
The Washington County courthouse in South Kingstown and the Newport County courthouse in Newport will close effective Wednesday, Chief Justice Paul Suttell said in a statement.
Emergency and essential matters normally heard in the South Kingstown and Newport courts will now be heard in the Kent County courthouse in Warwick until further notice.
___
EMERGENCY DECLARATION APPROVED
President Donald Trump has approved a coronavirus disaster declaration for Rhode Island.
The move makes the state eligible for additional federal emergency aid. Raimondo issued a state of emergency for the state on March 9.
__
Associated Press reporter Mark Pratt in Boston contributed to this story.