Rhode Island College Hub in Central Falls Becomes First Rapid Testing Facility Outside of CVS Health’s Twin River Casino Site
CENTRAL FALLS- Mayor James A. Diossa and Mayor Donald R. Grebien are pleased to announce, through the BEAT COVID-19 initiative, that rapid testing will now be available to both communities through a partnership with CVS Health. The Rhode Island College Workforce Development Hub at 934 Dexter Street becomes the first facility outside of CVS Health’s testing site at Twin River Casino to offer the rapid result Abbott ID NOW™ COVID-19 test.
“We are appreciative for these new partnerships that will enable the residents of Central Falls and Pawtucket to receive the COVID-19 testing that they need,” said Mayor James A. Diossa. “I am grateful for the access to the Abbott test and would like to thank CVS Health and the Governor for this chance to get more residents tested along with Rhode Island College for the use of the facility, Alert EMS LLC., the University of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Health, Mayor Don Grebien, and the Central Falls Pawtucket initiative of the Beat COVID-19 Incident Command System.”
“The addition of rapid testing to the Rhode Island College Hub will be integral to getting members of our community tested and on to the next step of isolation,” said Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “We cannot thank the Governor, CVS Health, Rhode Island College, and everyone else involved in helping us bring these tests to our communities enough.”
“Central Falls is reporting a higher incidence of COVID-19 than New York City,” said Dr. Michael Fine who has spearheaded the BEAT COVID-19 initiative in Central Falls and Pawtucket. “The rapid testing site gives access to faster responses to communities that continue to be deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic so people in Central Falls can get into isolation as soon as they develop symptoms.”
Dr. Fine also serves as the Chief Health Strategist for the City of Central Falls, the Health Liaison for the City of Pawtucket, and the Senior Clinical and Population Health Services Officer at Blackstone Valley Community Health Care Inc..
“Rapid testing is a crucial step in helping communities manage the COVID-19 pandemic, and this is a concrete example of the private and public sectors coming together to bring expanded testing capabilities to the people of Rhode Island,” said Emmanuel Kolady, Senior Vice President, CVS Health. “By working together, we can help slow the spread of the virus.”
“Rhode Island College is proud to be on the front lines of the state’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, working alongside Governor Gina Raimondo, the Rhode Island Departments of Health and Commerce, and the Cities of Central Falls and Pawtucket,” said Rhode Island College President Frank D. Sánchez. “This testing site, like the one on our main campus, will provide a significant relief to the citizens of Rhode Island, particularly for communities that are disproportionately impacted by this crisis.”
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.
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 call line at 855-843-7620. The call line is a free, multilingual service for is for Central Falls and Pawtucket residents experiencing COVID-19 symptoms who do not have a primary care doctor.