[Update: Reports coming in that this program has gotten off to a rough start. Appointments may be needed? Hopefully this is getting straightened out.] The Department of Health (RIDOH) has posted a list of free rapid testing events in Rhode Island with results promised within 8-12 hours via email or phone. Appointments are not required.
This is a Google doc that can be updated regularly. Check before leaving the house. At the time of this writing there are two Providence locations: The storefront at 79 Dorrance Street and the Stop & Shop on West River Street. A report at WPRI includes the hours of operation:
Downtown Providence Storefront, 79 Dorrance Street, Providence, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Stop & Shop, W. River Street, Providence, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more info about Covid-19 testing go here.
N.B. All State-operated COVID-19 test sites will be closed on Friday, December 25. There will be limited availability for appointments at some locations on Thursday, December 24.
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Scroll down on that page for info about the upcoming vaccination program.
RIDOH is planning for the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.
Final decisions have not yet been made about who can get vaccinated in each phase of Rhode Island’s COVID-19 vaccination program. RIDOH will share information on this page when those decisions are made. We will also describe how different groups can get vaccinated. RIDOH will engage additional stakeholders and partners in the planning process as we learn more about the availability of vaccine during each phase of the program.
So how are we doing? The percent positive for last week did go down a bit to 7.8%. Go here for RI Covid Data. Wear your damn mask.