RI Health Department To Consolidate Coronavirus Test Sites

Cranston RI

14 June, 2021

11:14 AM

Description

CRANSTON, RI — Gov. Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) have released their plan to consolidate state-run COVID-19 test sites, reflecting a shift in Rhode Island's pandemic response. According to health officials, the state's testing strategy is has become more targeted and is now focused on bringing COVID-19 testing to the most vulnerable groups of people. Mobile and pop-up testing has been implemented where needed, including in schools, communities with low vaccination rates, travel destinations, and outbreak centers. By the end of June, larger-volume test sites will be consolidated so that only 25 fixed sites remain, not including testing offered at pharmacies and medical offices. "The Department of Health and all of our local partners made testing a priority early into the pandemic, which made a world of difference," said McKee in a statement. "Please continue to get tested even if you are vaccinated and have symptoms. Testing will continue to be an important way to keep Rhode Islanders safe as more and more Rhode Islanders across age bands get vaccinated and will help RIDOH identify emerging variants in our communities." Throughout the pandemic, the State has led the nation in COVID-19 testing rates per capita and maintained capacity for large-scale asymptomatic testing. As vaccination rates have increased, demand for COVID-19 testing has decreased. At the height of its testing volume in April, the State was testing 125,000 people per week. The State is now testing approximately 50,000 per week. Even with these decreases, the State maintains the ability to ramp up capacity if needed. "The COVID-19 positivity rate in Rhode Island has gone down and vaccination rates are among the highest in the nation," said Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott in a statement. "But the pandemic is not over, and Rhode Islanders need to remain vigilant. COVID-19 testing will continue to be a critical tool in identifying disease and preventing outbreaks." Saturday, June 26, will be the last day of testing at the following sites: Barrington Shopping Center: 180 County Rd. Barrington, RI 02806 Dorrance Street: 79 Dorrance St. Providence, RI 02903 Park Holm Senior Center: 1 Eisenhower St. Newport, RI 02840 Stop & Shop Newport: 199 JT Connell Hwy Newport, RI 02840 K12 CCRI- Newport: 1 John H. Chafee Blvd. Newport, RI 02840 K12 Pastore Campus: 19 Foster Rd. Cranston, RI 02920 Sunday, June 27, will be the last day of testing at the following sites: New England Tech-East Greenwich: 1560 Division Rd. East Greenwich, RI 02818 New England Tech-Warwick: 2480 Post Road Warwick, RI 02886 North Providence Mineral Spring: 1967 Mineral Spring Ave. North Providence, RI 02904 Rhode Island Convention Center Parking Garage: 114 West Exchange St. Providence, RI 02903 (walk-up PCR location at the ticket booth on Sabin Street will remain open) Smithfield VFW: 47 Farnum Pike Smithfield, RI 02917 Stop & Shop Cottage Street-Pawtucket: 368 - 398 Cottage St. Pawtucket, RI 02860 Walnut Hill Plaza: 1500 Diamond Hill Rd. Woonsocket, RI 02895 For a full list of COVID-19 test sites, click here.