Coronavirus Update
In response to recent concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Rhode Island, Tri-County Health Centers will be closed Monday, March 16, 2020 so that we may coordinate containment and mitigation efforts. While all patients appointments will be cancelled for Monday, March 16, including medical, behavioral health and dental appointments, we will be available for patient phone calls to provide medical advice, and instruction over the phone. Contact us at 401-519-1940. We will reopen on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 with workflows in place to screen all patients by phone prior to your appointment.
If you are experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath, or flu like symptoms, please stay home. Our providers and nurses can provide medical advice over the phone.
If you have a scheduled appointment at one of the Tri-County health centers, or dental center, you will be contacted prior to your visit for screening. After screening, if you still need an appointment at the health center, we ask that you limit taking anyone with you to your appointment whenever possible.
Tri-County Community Action Agency is committed to the health and safety of our patients, clients, employees and those in the community. As part of our Emergency Management Plan, we have procedures and protocols in place in the event of a pandemic and/or influenza outbreak. Due to the seriousness of Covid-19, we are constantly monitoring the situation and taking guidance and directive from the State of Rhode Island, Department of Health and CDC in how we respond. This may vary within the Agency’s Departments and Programs. We will modify and update our protocols accordingly when new information is released.
If you have traveled outside of the U.S. in the last 14 days or visited any of the hotspots in the United States (example: New York, Washington), are currently experiencing flu like symptoms, or have been recommended for self-quarantine (had direct contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19) Please do not come to the Health Center. We can screen you over the phone and provide further instructions. Contact us at 401-519-1940.
For all other services, please continue to CALL US BEFORE YOU COME IN to help reduce exposure. Contact us at 401-351-2750 for up-to-date information.
Please note, the following Tri-County programs have been cancelled:
Head Start and Early Head Start – Following the Rhode Island Public School closures, all Head Start classrooms will be closed starting Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, 2020. We will provide updates as they become available.
Youth Athletics – All youth sports programs have been cancelled, effective immediately. We hope to offer make up games if possible, and will provide new schedules or more information as it becomes available.
Joyful Learning Child Academy – Following guidance from Governor Raimondo, Joyful Learning will be closed beginning Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, 2020. We will provide updates for Joyful learning families as information becomes available.
The best way to prevent the spread of Coronavirus is to:
- Cover your mouth when you cough. Use your arm so your hand doesn’t spread the illness.
- Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer often.
- Stay home when you have a fever and difficulty breathing or have a fever with a bad cough that won’t go away.
- Limit travel or social gatherings when possible.
- There is little evidence that a mask prevents the illness, and currently the CDC does not recommend the wearing of masks for anyone that is not showing symptoms of illness.
As indicated by the Governor, information is rapidly changing and we are working day by day and week by week to ensure the safety of all Rhode Islanders. We are working continuously to ensure we update our protocols accordingly. Updates will be provided to our patients and clients as soon as possible.
For more information about the Coronavirus, vist https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
For information on the Rhode Island response, visit https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/