Demand increases to pay for testing amid free testing shortages in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – The Rhode Island Convention Center, and other free COVID-19 testing sites across the state don’t have any openings for days with an increase in demand after holiday gatherings and the spread of the Omicron variant.   

So, thousands of Rhode Islanders are now paying for testing. 

“It’s been unexpected how many tests we’ve been doing,” Matthew Olivier, owner of Matt’s Local Pharmacy, said. “It’s probably like triple to quadruple what we were doing about 2 weeks ago.” 

According to Olivier, about a hundred customers a day are now coming through his pharmacy to get a test, but what’s more surprising is the number of positive results. 

“More [positive results] than any other variant,” Olivier said. “That being said, the symptoms and the severity of the virus have been minimal to none, when people have been vaccinated up to speed.” 

But, Olivier said, if you don’t want to pay, can’t get an appointment for a free test, and your symptoms aren’t severe enough to go to the hospital; stick to quarantining for the 10 days. 

If you’re not feeling any symptoms, but still want to get tested after your holiday travel or gathering, you still may want to schedule a free test, even if the next available opening isn’t for a week out. 

“The virus doesn’t become detectable right away. It definitely takes five days, sometimes seven days. Especially with these new variants, they’re not detectable immediately after your travel,” Olivier said. 

Click here for a list of state-run COVID-19 testing sites.