Access to COVID-19 testing in Rhode Island is expanding. Many patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can safely self-manage symptoms at home; knowledge of test results will not change the course of their illness. However, population-wide testing allows for more accurate estimates of community spread and better predicts resources that will be needed when transmission is at its peak.
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is recommending expanded testing that aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated
priorities for testing patients with suspected COVID-19 infection.
RIDOH is recommending testing for all of the following people with symptoms of COVID-19:
- Hospitalized patients
- Healthcare workers, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals
- Residents of long-term care facilities
- Patients 65 and older
- Patients with underlying conditions placing them at higher risk for COVID-19 complications
- First responders (police, fire, and non-EMS) and other critical infrastructure workers
Please refer to pages three and four for updated instructions on how to order COVID-19 testing and clinical assessment for these individuals.
Respiratory Clinics
RIDOH is anticipating an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients in the coming weeks. We have been working with outpatient providers to establish respiratory clinics at primary care practices, health centers, and urgent care facilities set up specifically to evaluate patients suspected to have COVID-19. The goal is to ensure options for evaluating patients in need of a clinical assessment but not in need of Emergency Department (ED) level care.
Access to personal protective equipment (PPE) remains a challenge due to international supply problems. Many primary care providers (PCPs) are currently unable to safely assess patients with possible COVID-19 symptoms due to the shortage of PPE. Many larger primary care groups and health centers have designated a specific site for patients in need of respiratory symptom assessment. In addition, many urgent care centers have designated sites as respiratory clinics where patients can be referred for assessment by a PCP or can make an appointment to be seen.
It is important for PCPs to use telehealth to the greatest extent possible to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in healthcare settings. All patients should contact their PCP, if they have one, before obtaining any test for COVID-19. Many patients with respiratory symptoms or other symptoms of COVID-19 will require an in-person clinical assessment, including a physical exam, to determine the best course of action. Referring a patient with moderate symptoms in need of a physical exam to a respiratory clinic is strongly preferred over referral to a hospital ED, when appropriate.
Please find a list of respiratory clinics in Rhode Island here. RIDOH recommends:
- Call a respiratory clinic on behalf of your patient to make a referral; or
- Instruct the patient to call the respiratory clinic to schedule an appointment. Walk-in appointments are not recommended.
COVID-19 Testing Categories
Symptomatic People Only
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How to Obtain Test
It is NOT necessary to call RIDOH for permission.
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Hospitalized Patient
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Hospital team orders and obtains NP swab specimen and sends to hospital lab
- Hospital lab performs test: Follow hospital process
-OR-
- Hospital lab does not perform test
- Complete and fax PUI for COVID-19 Reporting Form to 401-222-2488.
- Hospital lab completes State Health Lab Requisition Form
- Transport sample to State Health Laboratory.
- RIDOH calls ordering clinician as soon as result is available. (Please do not call RIDOH to check on the status of a test.)
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Nursing Home or Congregate-Living Resident
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Facility medical team calls RIDOH at 401-222-2577 to obtain specimen collection kits from the State Health Laboratory. Facility medical team obtains NP specimen and sends to State Health Laboratory.
- Complete and fax PUI for COVID-19 Reporting Form to 401-222-2488.
- Transport sample to State Health Laboratory
- RIDOH calls ordering clinician as soon as result is available. (Please do not call RIDOH to check on the status of a test.)
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Healthcare Worker, including EMS workers
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Personal healthcare provider must place an order for testing at a drive-up specimen collection site.
- Call 401-222-2577 to order and schedule a test.
- Complete and fax PUI for COVID-19 Reporting Form to 401-222-2488.
- Give patient PUI Instructions
- Specimen collection at drive-up site
- Transport specimen to State Health Laboratory.
- RIDOH calls ordering clinician as soon as the test result is available. (Please do not call RIDOH to check on the status of a test.)
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COVID-19 Testing Categories
Symptomatic People Only
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How to Obtain Test
It is NOT necessary to call RIDOH for permission; however, a clinical order from a healthcare provider is required. |
Others Prioritized for Testing
- Patients with underlying conditions placing them at higher risk for COVID-19 complications
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Mild symptoms only and no physical exam needed:
Personal healthcare provider must place an order for testing at a Drive-up Specimen Collection Site.
- Complete a COVID-19 testing order form (fillable form or downloadable form). Email (ESCLCOVID19@ESCLAB.com) or fax (401-208-0411) completed form.
- Indicate on the order form which location your patient will go to for testing and the time block. All testing will be conducted the business day after the order is placed. If patient is unable to make it to the selected appointment slot, they may arrive later that day or the following day.
- Complete and fax PUI for COVID-19 Reporting Form to 401-222-2488.
- Give patient PUI Instructions
- Specimen collection at drive-up site
- Specimen transported to commercial lab
- Test result may take three to four days
- Ordering provider will receive lab results from commercial lab
- Report positive results to RIDOH at 401-222-2577.
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Patient requires clinical assessment with physical exam and does not require ED level of care:
Personal healthcare provider can refer or patient can call a Respiratory Clinic at Primary Care, Health Center, or Urgent Care.
- Can perform clinical assessment including physical exam
- Most respiratory clinics can obtain specimen and order test
- See list of available sites here.
- Must call ahead for appointment and instructions.
- Respiratory clinic can order test through commercial lab
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Respiratory clinic can complete a COVID-19 testing order form (fillable form or downloadable form). Email (ESCLCOVID19@ESCLAB.com) or fax (401-208-0411) completed form.
- Indicate on the order form which location your patient will go to for testing and the time block. All testing will be conducted the business day after the order is placed. If patient is unable to make it to the selected appointment slot, they may arrive later that day or the following day.
- Complete and fax PUI for COVID-19 Reporting Form to 401-222-2488.
- Give patient PUI Instructions.
- Specimen collection at drive-up site
- Specimen transported to commercial lab
- Test result may take three to four days.
- Ordering provider will receive lab results from commercial lab.
- Report positive results to RIDOH at 401-222-2577.
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