central falls

COVID-19 Testing Site Opens at Rhode Island College Hub in Central Falls

CENTRAL FALLS- Mayor James A. Diossa was pleased to announce the opening of a new COVID-19 testing site in the city today at the Rhode Island College “Hub” at 934 Dexter Street. This facility provides residents with access to testing within the densely populated city.

The testing facility at 934 Dexter Street will serve as a walk-up and drive-up facility staffed by Alert EMS LLC. The ability for this site to provide walk-up assistance in a city where about 25% of the residents do not have access to private transportation is essential to serve every person who may need a test.

“We are grateful for the partnerships we have made to get this testing facility in Central Falls,” said Central Falls Mayor James A. Diossa. “We appreciate the help of the Governor, Rhode Island College, Alert EMS LLC., Mayor Don Grebien, and the Central Falls Pawtucket initiative of the Beat COVID-19 Incident Command System. This site is incredibly important for our residents and we are working very hard to stop the community spread of the virus.”

“Our Beat COVID-19 partnership is being supported from all angles,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “Our community groups have been such great partners, and I am so grateful for the grassroots, volunteer support. From Central Falls, to Pawtucket, to the State of Rhode Island, it’s truly been all hands on deck. The capacity to give access to isolation support and testing for every sick person in our urban centers is critical, and lack of access to existing family doctor relationships should never be a barrier as we tackle this pandemic as a community.”

“Central Falls needed a COVID-19 testing site for all of its residents who don’t have a primary care clinician and don’t have the ability to get a test outside of the city,” said Chief Health Strategist for the city Dr. Michael Fine. “After getting people to self isolate when they begin to experience symptoms, the second most important thing is to get them tested. Now, with the help of the Beat COVID-19 initiative, those residents who might not have a primary care clinician or insurance can still receive a test.”

The site will serve as an extension of the Beat COVID-19 initiative, a campaign focusing on grassroots communication and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic with the goal of reaching out to every single household in Central Falls and Pawtucket. This initiative includes identifying residents who become symptomatic as soon as they get sick, providing them with available testing and resources, and eventually moving them to effective isolation. Dr. Michael Fine, who heads the Central Falls Office on Health and serves as Health Liaison for the City of Pawtucket has been spearheading this campaign to provide services and outreach to all populations in both cities.

Residents can request an appointment for testing at this facility by being referred by their primary care physician or by calling the Beat COVID-19 hotline at 855-843-7620.