New local test site opens

COVID-19 testing site and respiratory clinic at Hope Valley facility

Wood River Health Services Facebook page

Wood River Health Services is offering a COVID-19 testing site and respiratory clinic to its patients in a tent set up in the clinic parking lot. Start-up was April 16.

The site will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 until 11 am through at least May 7.

Respiratory clinic visits and testing is appointment only, after evaluation through a telehealth visit. 

During the on-going coronavirus crisis, nobody should show up at any health care facility for any reason without calling first.

The respiratory clinic will provide support to patients who are experiencing respiratory issues that cannot be managed at home with telehealth support but who are not in need of hospitalization. 

Patients will be assessed in-person in the tent by a WRHS provider.

The clinic and testing tent are currently for WRHS patients only. However, under new federal guidelines, non-established patients may access care for any health care issues, COVID-related or not, from Wood River Health Services after an initial telehealth visit.

Patients and those without a primary care provider who are experiencing respiratory symptoms are asked to call the Wood River Health Services main number at (401) 539-2461.

Calls will be triaged by a nurse in consultation with a provider to determine if a telehealth or in-person visit is needed. Staff will then book the appropriate appointment.

Patients with an appointment will remain in their vehicle for the initial exam and for specimen collection to be tested at East Side Clinical Labs.

Wood River Health would also like to remind those without health insurance that the state’s insurance exchange, HealthSource RI, is extending a special enrollment period through April 30 to allow Rhode Islanders to purchase coverage.

Certified Insurance Navigators are available at the health center to help those seeking insurance to choose the best available plan and file the appropriate forms.