Central Falls Reporting Higher Incidence of COVID-19 than New York City

Medical Reserve Corps to Help with all Hands-on Deck Response

“The incidence of COVID-19 tested positives in Central Falls is greater than in New York City. Pawtucket also has among the numbers in Rhode Island,” said Dr. Michael Fine. “When people in the community get sick, there is a single number to call, and we help them get isolated, and tested, and provide the resources they need to stay in isolation. The MRC is providing professionals to serve our communities.” Fine has been a volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps for several years.

Fine has said that 2.6% of this population is positive, compared to 2.1% in NYC, and there have been reports of people dying in their homes, though no statistics or particulars were given.

Through the BEAT COVID-19 initiative, Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien and Central Falls Mayor James A. Diossa announced a partnership with the Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team’s Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program. The MRC will provide volunteer clinicians, giving symptomatic residents in Pawtucket and Central Falls the ability to receive referrals for testing as well as educational support on how to safely isolate.

“We are honored to be part of this very important initiative. The Rhode Island Medical Reserve Corps has always worked to increase access to healthcare by providing unique solutions to challenging situations,” said Brooke Lawrence, Executive Officer, RI Medical Reserve Corps.   

“We thank the MRC for their part in assisting the residents in Pawtucket and Central Falls as we get through this pandemic,” said Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “The MRC’s collaboration is integral to improving the health and wellness of our two cities, and now, we need to continue the focus on isolation to minimize the risk of spreading the disease through the call line, which has received hundreds of calls from residents since launching on Friday.”

“The support of the MRC will allow residents to seek help regardless of whether or not they have a family doctor,” said Mayor Diossa. “Access to testing would be extremely limited for the estimated 50,000 residents without a primary care doctor had the MRC not answered the call for our community.”

Pawtucket and Central Falls residents experiencing symptoms without a primary care doctor can call the BEAT COVID-19 line at 855-843-7620 or visit pawtucketri.com/COVID19 or centralfallsri.us/coronavirus.

Health professionals looking to get involved are asked to contact the RI Responds System, a partnership of the Rhode Island Department of Health and the R.I. Disaster Medical Assistance Team’s Medical Reserve Corps, and join the Medical Reserve Corps. Visit riresponds.org.

Any organization looking to get involved with BEAT COVID-19 can reach out to Wil Arboleda via email at [email protected] or phone at 401-728-0500 ext. 358.

About RI Medical Reserve Corps

Founded in 2003, the RI Medical Reserve Corps began as in-state emergency response organization sponsored by the Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team. As a non-profit, RIDMAT/MRC recruits and trains medical health professional and community volunteers to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies and disasters across the state.  Focusing on reinforcing personal preparedness, strengthening public health and community resiliency through outreach and education, RIDMAT/MRC enhances Rhode Island’s capacity to do extraordinary things during extraordinary times.