How To Self-Report A Positive COVID-19 Test In Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI — With more and more Rhode Islanders opting for at-home, self-administered COVID-19 tests, many have questioned if the Department of Health's daily case numbers are still an accurate measure.

Rhode Islanders who receive a positive test result from an at-home test can report it to the department using this online form. This will help ensure an accurate case count for the department's official record.

Dr. James McDonald, the interim director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, said that while case numbers may be slightly off due to at-home tests, hospitalizations are still an accurate indicator of the state of the pandemic.

"We know we're not going to get all of these self tests," McDonald said, encouraging Rhode Islanders to self-report positive results using the online form.

A positive result from an at-home test "means that the test detected the virus, and it is very likely that you have COVID-19," the department said.

While these tests are accurate, they do not serve as an official record. The department cannot offer assistance during quarantine or isolation, a letter for missed school or work or documentation of infection within the past 90 days based on an at-home test. To qualify, get another test from a testing site or a health care provider.

If you do receive a positive result from an at-home test, stay home and isolate from others for at least five days and reach out to your health care provider, even if you do not have symptoms.