Nation’s First Federally-Supported COVID "Test-to-Treat" Site to Open in Rhode Island

Nation’s First Federally-Supported COVID "Test-to-Treat" Site to Open in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee was joined by White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator and Senior Counselor to the President, Dr. Ashish Jha, to announce a new federally-supported Test-to-Treat site opening in Rhode Island, making the State and its partners the first in the nation to stand up a brick-and-mortar location where eligible Rhode Islanders can get tested for COVID-19 and then, if positive, immediately receive a prescription for oral antiviral medication all at a single location.

The Test-to-Treat pilot site will be hosted by the State’s nonprofit partner at Clínica Esparanza/Hope Clinic at its 85 Eagle St. location in Olneyville. Anyone who tests positive at the clinic will be referred to a clinician onsite to see if they are eligible for an oral antiviral treatment. If they are, they can receive the antiviral treatment onsite immediately. 

“With today’s announcement, Rhode Island continues to be a leader in addressing COVID-19,” said McKee. “Our first-in-the-nation Test-to-Treat model will provide critical COVID-19 treatment for Rhode Islanders who test positive in an easy and convenient way. I thank the Biden Administration, and in particular Dr. Jha who continues to be an advisor to me, for their partnership and collaboration. I also want to thank the team at Clínica Esperanza for stepping up and partnering with us on this important initiative. We’re proud that in launching this model we can serve as a best practice for the nation.”

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“The Biden Administration is thrilled to announce today that Rhode Island will officially launch the nation’s first federally-supported Test-to-Treat site, with more sites planned in the coming weeks across the country. These sites are critical to ensuring easy access to lifesaving treatments that are helping to prevent serious illness and saving lives,” said Jha. “COVID isn’t over, but we now have more tools than ever to protect ourselves—and that’s real progress. I thank Governor McKee for his partnership and extraordinary leadership in this fight.”

About Site

Someone may be eligible for treatment with oral antivirals if they test positive for COVID-19, are age 12 or older, are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 due to age or medical conditions, and started having mild to moderate symptoms in the last five days.

In addition to access to testing and treatment, patients can also access vaccines and boosters at this convenient one-stop shop. These services are free of charge to patients. Services will be provided to all individuals, regardless of insurance status. Patients will be accepted for same-day, walk-up visits.

This program is another important component of the State's COVID-19 endemic management strategy, as COVID-19 is a preventable, treatable disease. The initiative will be funded fully through the Biden Administration's FEMA Federal Public Assistance Program.

The Biden-Harris Administration launched the first phase of the Test-to-Treat initiative in March 2022 to give individuals another important way to quickly access free lifesaving treatment for COVID-19.