Rhode Island has 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Providence — The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Rhode Island has risen from 14 to 20, state officials announced Saturday.

The new cases are not a surprise, and Rhode Islanders should expect more as the virus spreads, Gov. Gina Raimondo said.

Raimondo, a Democrat, encouraged local religious groups to cancel weekend services. She called on local high school and college students not to use their unexpected break from classes as an opportunity to gather with friends.

“There will be more cases; Rhode Islanders should know that,” Raimondo said. “The number of cases will depend on each and every one of us.”

New cases

The people recently diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, are all recovering at home, state Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott said.

Three of the patients had recently traveled, two domestically and one to Portugal.

“We’re still investigating” the new cases, Alexander-Scott said.

Students skipping quarantine

Officials said some high school students are ignoring instructions to self-quarantine for 14 days after a classmate was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Cranston Mayor Allan Fung released a video message to Cranston West High School students admonishing them to take the virus seriously.

“I need you to go home and stay home for the remainder of the 13 days,” he said. “Parents, you can blame it all on me... None of us are joking here.”

Raimondo said she had also heard reports that high school and college students were taking advantage of canceled classes by gathering with friends. That should stop, she said.