Your family's guide to being healthy and strong during the Coronavirus Pandemic as well as being fully educated and prepared for this and other potential Rhode Island and national emergencies.
SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19
GETTING TESTED
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
(Note: as researchers continually learn more about the Coronavirus, new symptoms may be added. I’ll try to keep all information updated)
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention:
Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Bluish lips or face
(*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.)
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
Symptom checker:
on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
on the Johns Hopkins website:
TESTING RESOURCES:
RI Department of Health
https://health.ri.gov/publications/frequentlyasked
questions/RI-COVID-19-Testing.pdf
CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
Who Should Get Tested:
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should be tested.
Asymptomatic testing (testing for people without COVID-19 symptoms) is also available. It will be used to monitor any potential hotspots for the virus. RIDOH is focusing asymptomatic testing for Rhode Islanders in densely-populated areas hardest hit by the pandemic. We are also offering asymptomatic testing to Rhode Islanders who work in close-contact environments. People who work in child care, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, gyms, tattoo, massage and tanning parlors, and people who have recently gone to a large gathering will be able to schedule a free test at either the Rhode Island College or the Community College of Rhode Island (Warwick location) testing sites. Schedule an asymptomatic test at PORTAL.RI.GOV.
With the exception of the CVS Rapid Tests, it might take three or four days to get your test results (in time, this delay will be reduced). While you are waiting for your test results, stay at home and isolate yourself to avoid spreading your symptoms to others.
If you have symptoms, call your primary care provider (or a Respiratory Clinic - click here to find a RESPIRATORY CLINIC NEAR YOU) - to discuss your symptoms and get scheduled for a test. Many providers can offer on site testing or can refer their patients for testing by appointment at a clinic or drive-up testing sites.
CVS Rapid Testing Site:
If you need a test quickly, CVS Health is offering free drive-up rapid testing for eligible individuals/
Go online www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing to be pre-screened for testing and to get an appointment. The rapid testing site will not test people who do not have an appointment.
You may learn that you do not meet the criteria for a rapid test. You can still be tested through the other methods mentioned.
When you arrive at the CVS Rapid Testing site, you must stay in your car. Staff will check your registration and tell you what to do. You will be asked to show proof of identity and in-state residence (utility bill, cell phone bill, bank statement, etc). Government issued ID is not required.
The entire process, including getting your results, takes about 30 minutes.
If you share your healthcare provider’s name and office contact information, CVS will notify your healthcare provider of your COVID-19 test results.
TESTING CHILDREN FOR COVID-19
https://health.ri.gov/covid/testing/children
BEAT COVID-19
A walk-up COVID-19 rapid testing site is available for Central Falls and Pawtucket residents at 934 Dexter St. in Central Falls. Call the Beat COVID-19 Hotline at 855-843-7620 between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays to schedule an appointment (if you don’t have health insurance, let them know). Testing is available for Central Falls and Pawtucket residents experiencing COVID-19 symptoms who do not have a primary care provider, including residents who do not have health insurance. Services are available in multiple languages.
(If you are a health care provider or ems professional and have symptoms or are concerned about exposure, call your health care provider as well and let them know your role so that you can get an appointment at special hospital-based drive-up specimen collection sites specifically for health care workers.
For more information, call the Beat COVID-19 Hotline at 855-843-7620 between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.
The Rhode Island Free Clinic (RIFC) offers walk-up and drive-through testing for COVID-19 at St. Joseph’s Hospital parking lot next to the Free Clinic at 647 Broad St. in Providence. Call the COVID-19 hotline at 401-92-COVID (6843) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to make an appointment. Testing is available to new and existing RIFC patients as well as uninsured adults Monday-Thursday from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays. Services are available in multiple languages.
www.thundermisthealth.org/default.aspx
Thundermist Health Center is hosting a drive-thru and walk-up test site at 450 Clinton St. in Woonsocket. Call 401-767-4100 for more information and to make an appointment for testing. People do not need to be a patient of Thundermist Health Center to be eligible for testing; however, they must have an appointment. Bilingual English-Spanish interpretation services are available.
Transportation Help:
MTM has supports in place to transport people enrolled in Medicaid and people who qualify for the Elderly Transportation Program (ETP) to COVID-19 testing sites. MTM will confirm that individuals:
- are eligible for transport;
- have an authorization for testing; and
- have no other transportation options prior to scheduling a trip.
Eligible individuals can call: 1-855-330-9131 (TTY: 711)
This service is only available if no other transportation options are available.
TESTING SITES FOR SCHOOLS:
The state has designated certain testing sites for K-12 students only. Three groups that will be eligible for testing are people who are symptomatic, people who have been exposed, and classmates.
A test can be scheduled seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. by calling 844-857-1814.