This Just In: RI moves into 'substantial transmission' of COVID

Plus, smoke from north of the border is back. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Monday, July 26 [An illustration of the novel coronavirus.]( [RI moves into 'substantial transmission' of COVID]( Plus, smoke from north of the border is back. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. What started as a clear, sunny afternoon has turned hazy, as smoke from wildfires in Canada [drifts into Rhode Island]( again, affecting air quality here. It's supposed to continue tomorrow before wind patterns change and clear things out on Wednesday. It's a shame because we haven't had many classic beach days this month. This July has already been [the third wettest on record]( in Rhode Island, and we could see more rain later this week. All that rain has rivers and streams running much higher than normal, which makes them potentially more dangerous. Rhode Island now has "substantial transmission" of COVID-19, according to the Department of Health, after nearly two months of "low transmission." The Department of Health reported 250 additional cases of COVID-19 over the last three days, to go along with 10,362 negative tests, for a 2.4% positive rate. No new deaths were reported. There were 22 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, on Saturday, up from 16 reported three days ago. Over the last seven days, Rhode Island has reported an average of 85 new cases per day, a 109% increase from a week ago. The seven-day new-case average had dropped all the way to 11 at the beginning of July. The increase to "substantial transmission" means that it is increasingly urgent for Rhode Islanders who have not yet been vaccinated to get their shots today, Health Department spokesman Joseph Wendelken told The Journal. The New Shoreham Town Council is set to discuss, and possibly take action in response to, [a recent uptick in coronavirus infections on Block Island]( Meanwhile, concern about a different disease prompted a Health Department statement today. Legionnaires' disease, a serious form of pneumonia caused by bacteria in water, [has afflicted 30 Rhode Islanders]( since the start of June, with 29 of those cases coming between June 17 and July 21. The reasons remain under investigation, but there could be a link to the COVID pandemic. If you're in Warwick and would like to take a dip, a familiar old option is available once again. [The McDermott Pool reopened today]( for the first time since the pandemic shut it down. Mayor Frank Picozzi had extended the shutdown to make extensive repairs to the 46-year-old pool, which are now complete. In this week's Political Scene column, Patrick Anderson [takes a look at who's in]( for the big statewide political races of 2022. Helpful hint: If you haven't said you're out of the governor's race, you're presumed to be in. Me? I'm definitely out. The attorney general's office and the city of Providence [are continuing to hold back]( on the release of body-camera footage from the July 9 arrest of three teenagers, which city officials have described as "appalling." Members of the Providence Teachers Union will decide whether to ratify a tentative contract agreement [in a vote on Friday]( Tomorrow is the 68th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement, and local veterans of the Korean War are once again asking that their sacrifices [not be forgotten]( It's not often that a house on Newport's Cliff Walk goes on the market. But the house known as Honeysuckle Lodge, just a couple stones' throws from The Breakers and Belmont Beach, [has changed hands]( for nearly $10 million. Training camp starts for the Patriots this week, which means that lots of sports reporters and fans will be watching practice in hopes of identifying the breakout performers of the 2021 season. But [does success in camp translate to real games?]( Have a great night. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, [please encourage a friend to sign up]( [Discover more with our newsletters: Get the latest headlines, things to do and more in your inbox. Sign up here.]( [click here]( Problem viewing email? [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( • [Manage Newsletters]( • [Terms of Service]( • [Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights]( • [Privacy Notice]( • [Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy]( • [Feedback]( © 2021 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902