CVS Health Opens 10 New Drive-Thru Test Sites in Rhode Island as Part of Nationwide COVID-19 Response

Completes the company's commitment to establish 1,000 test sites by end of May

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May 28, 2020, 08:00 ET

WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on the company's comprehensive efforts to help slow the spread of the virus, on Friday, May 29 CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) will open 10 new COVID-19 test sites at select CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations across Rhode Island.

A COVID-19 testing site at a nearby CVS Pharmacy drive-thru, part of the company's plans to operate up to 1,000 test sites around the country by the end of May. (PRNewsfoto/CVS Health)

These new sites will utilize self-swab tests and deliver on the company's commitment to establish 1,000 locations across the country by the end of May as originally announced on April 27. These new test sites help enable a goal of processing up to 1.5 million tests per month, subject to availability of supplies and lab capacity.

"CVS Health has been at the forefront of helping our nation scale-up COVID-19 testing capabilities, and we're proud to meet our goal of establishing 1,000 testing sites in communities across the country," said Larry J. Merlo, President and CEO, CVS Health. "Opening access to testing in more locations using our drive-thru window represents an important milestone in our response to the pandemic. We remain grateful for the daily efforts and sacrifices of our front-line colleagues who make the continued expansion of our testing possible."

More than half of the company's 1,000 test sites will serve communities with the greatest need for support, as measured by the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index. The index tracks a variety of census variables including poverty, lack of access to transportation, and crowded housing that may weaken a community's ability to prepare for and recover from hazardous events like natural disasters and disease outbreaks.

"Rhode Island is leading the nation in per capita testing, thanks in part to CVS Health's incredible corporate partnership and steadfast commitment to their home state," said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. "I'm thrilled that we are continuing to expand and diversify our testing options. These new drive-through sites will allow us to meet Rhode Islanders' needs in their own communities. I could not be more grateful to CVS Health for their continued collaboration and support during this crisis."

Self-swab tests will be available to individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to state and age guidelines. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com beginning Friday, May 29 to schedule an appointment. Patients will be required to stay in their cars and will be directed to the pharmacy drive-thru window, where they will be provided with a test kit and given instructions, and a CVS Pharmacy team member will observe the self-swab process to ensure it is done properly. Tests will be sent to an independent, third-party lab for processing and the results will be available in approximately three days.

Testing will not take place inside any retail locations, and CVS Pharmacy, HealthHUB and MinuteClinic will continue to serve customers and patients.

The new testing sites in Rhode Island include:

CVS Pharmacy, 1776 Broad Street, Cranston, RI 02905
CVS Pharmacy, 2250 New London Turnpike, East Greenwich, RI 02818
CVS Pharmacy, 1285 South County Trail, East Greenwich, RI 02818
CVS Pharmacy, 63 Newport Avenue, East Providence, RI 02916
CVS Pharmacy, 26 Putnam Pike, Johnston, RI 02919
CVS Pharmacy, 1123 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett, RI 02882
CVS Pharmacy, 935 Manton Avenue, Providence, RI 02909
CVS Pharmacy, 960 Broad Street, Providence, RI 02905
CVS Pharmacy, 834 Providence Street, West Warwick, RI 02887
CVS Pharmacy, 151 Franklin Street, Westerly, RI 02891

A complete list of CVS Pharmacy drive-thru test sites can be found here.

More information on steps CVS Health has taken to address the COVID-19 pandemic, including support for health care providers and clinicians facing financial and administrative strain, is available at the company's frequently updated COVID-19 resource center.

For downloadable COVID-19 testing media assets, including photos, video and interviews with CVS Health executives, please visit the Media Resource Center.

About CVS Health

CVS Health employees are united around a common goal of becoming the most consumer-centric health company in the world. We're evolving based on changing consumer needs and meeting people where they are, whether that's in the community at one of our nearly 10,000 local touchpoints, in the home, or in the palm of their hand. Our newest offerings – from HealthHUB^® locations that are redefining what a pharmacy can be, to innovative programs that help manage chronic conditions – are designed to create a higher-quality, simpler and more affordable experience. Learn more about how we're transforming health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

Media Contact

Joe Goode, (401) 378-5220
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SOURCE CVS Health