Health Services is open, but please call first before coming to our facility

March 13, 2020

This message is being sent on behalf of Dr. Christopher Nasin, medical director of URI Health Services.

Health Services number is 401.874.2246

Greetings from URI Health Services,

At URI Health Services, we are dedicated to your health and well-being. With the recent updates in University cancellations and distance learning, we wanted to remind our students that we are open and looking forward to caring for them during this challenging time. In an effort to protect our community from the spread of COVID-19, we ask that you always call Health Services at 401.874.2246 prior to coming in for an appointment. A URI Health Services clinician will speak to you by phone first to determine how we can best address your needs.

What students should know:

  • To prevent infection with COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends frequent hand washing with soap and warm water; coughing and sneezing into your elbow or a tissue; avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes; and if you are sick, stay at home.
  • There are many respiratory illnesses circulating in Rhode Island, such as the flu and the common cold. Having respiratory symptoms does not mean that you have COVID-19. People are at higher risk for COVID-19 if they have symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever, shortness of breath) AND if they were in contact with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 (or have traveled to a country with community transmission).
  • Someone is considered a contact if they have had direct, face-to-face contact with a person with COVID-19. Testing can only be done on individuals who have symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19 and who have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or travel history to a country with ongoing community spread of COVID-19. Testing individuals with no symptoms or history of travel is not recommended by CDC.
  • If you have traveled from a high-risk country or came into direct contact with someone with COVID-19, you should self-quarantine and call your health care provider for further guidance.
  • People who think they have COVID-19 should call their health care provider. These people should NOT go directly to a health care facility without calling a health care provider (unless they are experiencing a medical emergency).

Even if you are not currently on campus, please reach out to us so that we can assist you with your health care. This might include telephone advice, prescription refills, and virtual visits with one of our registered nurses or providers. Please call us at 401.874.2246 so that we can assist you.

You also can stay informed on matters related to the coronavirus by visiting the University’s COVID-19 website. The university is also operating an information hotline. Those with questions may dial 401.874.3082, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.