WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on the company's comprehensive efforts to help slow the spread of the virus, on Friday, May 22 CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) will open eight new COVID-19 test sites at select CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations across Louisiana. The opening of additional test sites across the state and country will be announced by the end of the month.
A new COVID-19 testing site at a nearby CVS Pharmacy drive-thru location, part of the company's plan to have up to 1,000 testing locations around the country by the end of May.
A CVS Pharmacy technician observes a patient administer a self-swab COVID-19 test at one of the company's drive-thru testing locations throughout the country. Photo Courtesy CVS Health
A patient administers a self-swab COVID-19 test at a CVS Pharmacy drive-thru testing site, one of a thousand locations the company plans to operate around the country by the end of May. Photo Courtesy CVS Health
A patient completes a self-swab COVID-19 test at a CVS Pharmacy drive-thru testing site, one of a thousand locations the company plans to operate around the country by the end of May.
Photo Courtesy CVS Health
These new sites will utilize self-swab tests and mark the next phase of the company's nationwide COVID-19 testing strategy, announced April 27. CVS Health expects to have up to 1,000 locations across the country offering this service by the end of May, with the goal of processing up to 1.5 million tests per month, subject to availability of supplies and lab capacity. The 8 test sites in Louisiana are part of nearly 350 locations across 14 states including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.
"While the large-scale test sites we've been operating since early April have proven successful, this new approach allows us to utilize our presence in communities across the country and bring testing closer to home," said Larry J. Merlo, President and CEO, CVS Health. "Our frontline employees will continue to play a critical role in the testing process, with members of their communities directly benefitting from their dedication and selflessness."
Once fully operational, 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.
"CVS bringing testing to even more people through some of their drive through lanes will help Louisiana reach its goal of testing 200,000 people or more each month starting in May," said Governor John Bel Edwards. "The more partners we have in this fight to increase testing, the better. I am incredibly appreciative of the support of private partners like CVS as we seek to slow and control the spread of COVID-19 in our state."
Self-swab tests will be available to individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to age guidelines. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com beginning Friday, May 22 to schedule an appointment. Patients will be required to stay in their cars and 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 Louisiana include:
CVS Pharmacy, 5360 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
CVS Pharmacy, 7777 Bluebonnet Boulevard, Suite 100, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
CVS Pharmacy, 705 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506
CVS Pharmacy, 2105 Cleary Avenue, Metairie, LA 70001
CVS Pharmacy, 4401 South Claiborne, New Orleans, LA 70125
CVS Pharmacy, 1600 Elysian Fields Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117
CVS Pharmacy, 9194 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, LA 71118
CVS Pharmacy, 2103 Gause Boulevard East, Slidell, LA 70461
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.
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