RI's COVID Rate Hits Single Digits For First Time Since Christmas

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island's omicron surge seems to be nearing its end. For the first time this year, the weekly percent positivity rate fell into single digits, while case numbers and hospitalizations saw major decreases in the past week.

Last week, Rhode Island's weekly percent positivity rate was 12.2 percent. This week, it fell to 8.4 percent, the first time it's been in the single digits since the week of Christmas.

Related: How To Self-Report A Positive COVID-19 Test In Rhode Island

Case numbers fell by nearly half over the past week, as well, decreasing from 981 cases per 100,000 people to 547 per 100,000 people.

Hospitalizations, which tend to lag a week or two behind other indicators, also saw a major decrease in the past week. The last week of January, there were 321 new COVID-19 hospitalizations in Rhode Island, while there were 227 over the past week.

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention's community transmission indicator, COVID-19 transmission is still considered "high" in Rhode Island. The indicator, the highest, applies to ares with more than 100 cases per 100,000 people.