Health & Fitness
RI Coronavirus: Walk-Up Testing Site To Open
The site will open in a predominantly Latino section of Providence to increase testing in the hard-hit community.
Rhode Island is taking an extra step in its aggressive coronavirus testing approach and opening a walk-up and drive-thru testing site in Providence. Governor Gina Raimondo announced the rollout of the new site at a news conference on Sunday. The site will be located in the parking lot of the Robert L. Bailey IV Elementary School — Raimondo highlighted the location was chosen to be accessible to the Latino community, who have been the hardest hit in the state by the virus.
Of the state's 4,706 cases of the coronavirus, 45 percent of the people were Latino.
While Raimondo highlighted that the disproportionate number of Latinos and people of color affected by the virus is not unique to Rhode Island, she maintained that the government will center its efforts on an inclusive approach.
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"We need to do more, we need to do better," Raimondo said. The government will begin an advertising campaign this week to spread the word about best practices, test centers and resources — Raimondo said Spanish-speaking media outlets are at the top of the list to help spread the word.
The new walk-up testing site will accept patients by appointment only, anyone looking to get tested must call their doctor or an urgent care to set up an appointment.
Find out what's happening in Cranstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Rhode Island Health officials announced on Sunday, 13 new virus-related deaths, bringing the state's death toll up to 150. Raimondo reminded residents of the grim reality that social distancing rules also apply to funerals and gatherings of more than five people are prohibited.
After just one day of her face mask order being in place, Raimondo said the state saw good compliance from employees at essential businesses and customers. She highlighted that wearing cloth face coverings in businesses in the state is now an order and not a suggestion, including when picking up food from a drive-thru.
Coronavirus in Rhode Island: Latest headlines
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