Governor McKee, Dr. Jha Announce Nation’s First COVID Test-to-Treat Site to Open in Rhode Island – Newport Buzz

Governor Dan McKee was joined by White Home COVID-19 Response Coordinator and Senior Counselor to the President, Dr. Ashish Jha, to announce a brand new federally-supported Take a look at-to-Deal with website opening in Rhode Island, making the State and its companions the primary within the nation to face up a brick-and-mortar location the place eligible Rhode Islanders can get examined for COVID-19 after which, if optimistic, instantly obtain a prescription for oral antiviral remedy all at a single location.

“With as we speak’s announcement, Rhode Island continues to be a pacesetter in addressing COVID-19,” mentioned Governor McKee. “Our first-in-the-nation Take a look at-to-Deal with mannequin will present crucial COVID-19 therapy for Rhode Islanders who check optimistic in a simple and handy means. I thank the Biden Administration, and specifically Dr. Jha who continues to be an advisor to me, for his or her partnership and collaboration. I additionally need to thank the crew at Clínica Esperanza for stepping up and partnering with us on this essential initiative. We’re proud that in launching this mannequin we will function a greatest observe for the nation.”

“The Biden Administration is thrilled to announce as we speak that Rhode Island will formally launch the nation’s first federally-supported Take a look at-to-Deal with website, with extra websites deliberate within the coming weeks throughout the nation. These websites are crucial to making sure easy accessibility to lifesaving remedies which are serving to to forestall critical sickness and saving lives,” mentioned Dr. Jha. “COVID isn’t over, however we now have extra instruments than ever to guard ourselves—and that’s actual progress. I thank Governor McKee for his partnership and extraordinary management on this struggle.”

The Take a look at-to-Deal with pilot website shall be hosted by the State’s nonprofit accomplice at Clínica Esparanza/Hope Clinic at its 85 Eagle St. location in Olneyville. Anybody who assessments optimistic on the clinic shall be referred to a clinician onsite to see if they’re eligible for an oral antiviral therapy. If they’re, they will obtain the antiviral therapy onsite instantly. Somebody could also be eligible for therapy with oral antivirals in the event that they check optimistic for COVID-19, are age 12 or older, are at greater danger of extreme COVID-19 as a result of age or medical circumstances, and began having gentle to average signs within the final 5 days.

Along with entry to testing and therapy, sufferers also can entry vaccines and boosters at this handy one-stop store. These companies are freed from cost to sufferers. Providers shall be supplied to all people, no matter insurance coverage standing. Sufferers shall be accepted for same-day, walk-up visits.

This program is one other essential element of the State’s COVID-19 endemic administration technique, as COVID-19 is a preventable, treatable illness. The initiative shall be funded totally by means of the Biden Administration’s FEMA Federal Public Help Program.

“When the pandemic started, I used to be a Windfall Metropolis Councilwoman representing the 02909 zip code, which had the best variety of optimistic COVID-19 instances within the state,” mentioned Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Chair of the COVID-19 Fairness Council. “At the moment, Clínica Esperanza and I shortly mobilized to open a walk-in check website for underinsured and uninsured group members. As we speak, I’m proud to announce that Clínica Esperanza will supply the nation’s first COVID-19 Take a look at-to-Deal with service. On behalf of 02909 and all Rhode Island, I need to thank the Biden-Harris administration for serving to us launch the following section of our COVID-19 response.”

“This test-to-treat website is a crucial step to assist make sure that all Rhode Islanders have equal entry to therapy for COVID-19, no matter their insurance coverage standing or skill to pay. Clínica Esparanza continues to be a useful accomplice for RIDOH and the State in our work to maintain well being fairness on the coronary heart of our response to COVID-19,” mentioned Interim Director of Well being James McDonald, MD, MPH. “Therapy is enormously efficient at stopping critical sickness from COVID-19. I urge all eligible Rhode Islanders who check optimistic for COVID-19 to reap the benefits of therapy as we speak.”

“Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, a volunteer-run free clinic serving the communities on the West facet of Windfall in ‘the Valley,’ is wanting ahead to increasing our healthcare companies to incorporate the primary Take a look at-to-Deal with website on the CEHC Neighborhood Well being Station at 85 Eagle Road,” mentioned Anne Searls De Groot MD, Govt Director at Clínica Esperanza. “The general COVID check positivity fee at that website has been 27% during the last 12 months, and infrequently runs 10 instances greater than the speed at different websites within the state. We’re prepared to supply Paxlovid to people who check optimistic on the new Take a look at-to-Deal with website. We are going to proceed to supply vaccines and boosters for many who check destructive. We thank the Biden Administration, the Rhode Island Division of Well being, RI EMA and the State of Rhode Island for his or her willingness to concentrate on one of many hardest hit communities for this critically essential Take a look at-to-Deal with effort. Making Take a look at-to-Deal with accessible to our group will save lives.”

The Biden-Harris Administration launched the primary section of the Take a look at-to-Deal with initiative in March 2022 to present people one other essential method to shortly entry free lifesaving therapy for COVID-19.

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