Pawtucket and Central Falls Mayors Recognize Care New England
CNE to Open Respiratory Assessment Site in Pawtucket
Pawtucket – Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien and Central Falls Mayor James A. Diossa together recognized Care New England for agreeing to place a Respiratory Infections Triage Unit (RITU) on the former Memorial Hospital property in order to support the Coronavirus-related efforts throughout the Blackstone Valley.
The site will provide medical assessment services related to Coronavirus in multiple languages.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been rapidly spreading across the country, state, and our communities. Pawtucket and the Blackstone Valley need to have professional services for coronavirus here to assist our residents,” said Mayor Grebien. “The Cities thank Care New England, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and everyone who helped make it possible to provide our residents with the services that they need and deserve.”
“We are pleased to see Care New England step up for our diverse communities during this crisis,” said Mayor Diossa. “Providing our residents access to necessary services to protect our community is imperative to minimizing the risk of the spread of the coronavirus. We are confident that our residents will use this facility.”
“The ability to quickly assess patients is ideal for managing through this unprecedented pandemic. Care New England is happy to be able to provide this location, ready to assess patients for their potentially COVID-19- related symptoms, as we work together to contain the spread of this worldwide concern,” said Dr. James Fanale, President and CEO of Care New England.
Care New England’s Respiratory Infections Triage Unit (RITU) will be staffed by CNE medical professionals Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm. Symptomatic patients should call their primary care provider or call 401-CareNOW (401-227-3669) to make an appointment.
Both Mayors thanked Dr. Michael Fine who serves as Health Liaison for the City of Pawtucket and heads the Central Falls Office on Health. He continues to work with both Cities to provide information to all residents including those in hard to reach communities.
Mayors Grebien and Diossa remind residents to please stay home, wash their hands with soap and water, stay away from groups of 5 or more, and self-quarantine immediately and wear a mask if they have a cough or fever.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit health.ri.gov/covid or call the R.I. Department of Health at 401-222-8022.