Puerto Rico coronavirus statistics for February 22

According to the Puerto Rico Health Department, 177,430 people are believed to have been infected with COVID-19, an increase of 4,078 since February 15. This represents a decrease in the rate of new cases, as the increase between February 8 (when the total was 168,502) and February 15 was 4,850. The rate of deaths increased sharply this week: the death toll is currently 1,983, with 63 of those registered in the last week. By comparison, 32 people died from the virus between February 8 and February 15.

Beginning on November 7, the Health Department changed the way it recorded cases, splitting them between confirmed cases (as determined by molecular diagnostic testing), probable cases (as determined by antigen testing) and suspicious cases (as determined by serological, non-diagnostic testing). Viewed through that prism, Puerto Rico has had 91,680 confirmed cases, 7,577 probable cases, and 78,173 suspicious cases since the virus arrived on the Island.

There are currently 233 people hospitalized due to COVID, an increase of 24 since last week. Vaccination efforts on the Island continue plodding along, as vaccines remain in short supply and obstacles arise. Last week, the arrival of 80,350 vaccines was delayed due to snowstorms in the mainland United States. The government is currently hoping to reopen schools for in-person classes for March, announcing its protocol on Friday last week.

COVID-relief Bill could include $10 billion for Puerto Rico

President Biden’s COVID relief proposal could be a boon for Puerto Rico. If passed as currently drafted, the bill’s various measures are expected to assign $10 billion to the Island.

The COVID-relief bill sets aside $219 billion for state governments to use to mitigate fiscal problems caused by the pandemic, of which Puerto Rico is expected to receive $2.4 billion. Individual municipalities may receive additional funds. Puerto Rico is also set to receive nearly $900 million in nutritional assistance, and to obtain full access to the Child Tax Credit (CTC), which previously only applied to families with three or more children. Additionally, under the legislation, the federal government would foot the bill for three fourths of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Altogether, the changes to CTC and EITC are expected to add $1.4 billion to Puerto Rico’s coffers. 

One of the most prominent features of the bill is the payment of $1,400 per individual. Last year’s CARES Act, which authorized checks of $1,200 checks per person, had an impact of $2.9 billion on the Island. Enhanced unemployment benefits are expected to result in an additional $2 billion for Puerto Rico. The island is expected to receive most of the $305 million assigned to territories for rent assistance, as well as $40 million in assistance to landlords who have lost income due to the pandemic. 

Rep. Velázquez’s PRRADA bill expected on the Floor of the House today

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), who is slated to introduce a status bill for Puerto Rico in the next few weeks, has just re-introduced The Puerto Rico Recovery Accuracy in Disclosures Act of 2021 (PRRADA) to increase transparency and prevent conflicts of interest in Title III bankruptcy proceedings under PROMESA. The PRRADA bill is expected to be considered by House today under the suspension calendar. The bill states that “no attorney, accountant, appraiser, auctioneer, agent, consultant, or other professional person may be compensated under section 316 or 317” of PROMESA, unless they first disclose their connections to debtors, creators, or parties involved in the case in questions. This sort of requirement, although standard in Federal bankruptcy rules, was not included in PROMESA. A prior version of PRRADA, H.R. 683, was introduced in 2019 and passed by the House on December 8, 2020 but died in the Senate. 

Lawmakers, religious leaders call on President Biden to withdraw Trump administration attempt to block SSI payments to Puerto Rico

Last year, the Trump Administration appealed a lower court ruling declaring that Puerto Ricans living on the Island were eligible for Supplementary Security Income (SSI), thereby blocking Puerto Ricans from receiving nearly $2.3 billion in SSI funds. Despite changes at the U.S. Department of Justice and President Biden’s previous statements in support of allowing Puerto Ricans to obtain SSI, the Biden Administration has yet to withdraw the appeal. As a result, five lawmakers as well as religious leaders have written to the White House urging President Biden to do so. 

“It is long overdue that Puerto Ricans who qualify for SSI benefits can start receiving their benefits as soon as possible, reads the lawmakers’ letter, signed by Reps. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Darren Soto (D-FL). In a separate letter, faith leaders including Archbishop Roberto González Nieves, Bishop Rubén González Medina of Ponce, and other U.S. Catholic organizations called on President Joe Biden to help the island not just by withdrawing the DOJ appeal, but also by expanding and strengthening other existing anti-poverty tools and safety net programs.