This Just In: A Rhode Islander's one-in-a-billion battle with mold infection

Also, what you need to know about the BA.2 omicron subvariant. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Friday, February 4 [Tyson Bottenus at home in Providence with his dog, Honeyboy.]( [A Rhode Islander's one-in-a-billion battle with mold infection]( Also, what you need to know about the BA.2 omicron subvariant. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. The bad news is that most of that snow that looked so nice in my backyard is gone. The good news is that my kids finally have that swimming pool they've been asking for, and tonight they'll have an ice rink. Four years ago, Tyson Bottenus was in his early 30s, an active biker and captain of an 80-foot schooner in Newport. Then, a couple weeks after a vacation in Costa Rica, he began experiencing intense headaches and muscle paralysis in his face. For months, doctors were unable to determine a diagnosis, and the pain grew worse. Then, finally, a neurosurgeon in Boston determined the cause: an infection so rare that there have been only 120 confirmed cases in the world over the last 110 years. [Linda Borg has the remarkable story]( of Bottenus's fight to find silver linings as he battles Cladophialophora bantiana – black mold in the brain. The Rhode Island Department of Health today announced 13 more coronavirus-related deaths and 860 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 11,931 negative tests, for a 6.7% positive rate. There were 311 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 328 reported yesterday. A week ago there were more than 400, and two weeks ago there were more than 500. Rhode Island has reported an average of 928 new coronavirus cases a day over the last seven days, down 55% from a week ago and down 74% from two weeks ago. On Thursday, the first two cases of the BA.2 omicron subvariant were identified in Rhode Island. Our health-care reporter Wayne Miller tells you [what you need to know about BA.2]( A Cranston dentist who publicly defied the state's vaccination mandate[has filed a federal lawsuit]( attempting to force the state to allow him to see patients again. Gov. Dan McKee says his administration is in "heavy negotiations" [to convert the vacant "Superman Building" into housing]( and one official who has been involved for years in fruitless efforts to revive the vacant landmark says things feel different this time. Tim Schartner is going to court in hopes of getting construction moving again [on a mall-sized greenhouse]( he plans to build on his farm in Exeter. Twenty-four residents and staff of a Coventry rehabilitation center [were taken to area hospitals]( last night after a fire sent thick smoke through the building. Rhode Island's most famous surfer is also a snowboard instructor at Yawgoo Valley Ski Area. Earlier this week [Amy Russo hit the slopes]( with Peter Panagiotis, aka Peter Pan. In our opinion section, a longtime allergy/immunology doctor argues that the proposed Lifespan-Care New England merger [would signal the end of the independent physician]( A boys basketball game between Johnston and Pilgrim high schools [was postponed this week]( after some Johnston students indicated in online postings that they planned to "mock the funeral" of the beloved Pilgrim principal who died in November. Finally, if you're into podcasts, there are some great Rhode Island-based ones available now. [Rob Duguay is here to tell you about them]( plus some things you should know if you're planning on starting a podcast yourself. Have a great weekend. 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]( © 2022 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902