WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In an ongoing effort to help slow the spread of the virus, CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today expanded its COVID-19 testing program by announcing 12 additional test sites at select CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations across Massachusetts. The opening of additional test sites on Friday, May 22 add to the nine locations previously opened on May 15 in Massachusetts.

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.

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 21 test sites in Massachusetts are part of a total 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.

"As we move into a new phase of combatting the pandemic and as communities begin to safely open up their local economies, we need testing to be easily accessible," said Troyen Brennan, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, CVS Health. "By further expanding the number of drive-thru test sites available across our retail network, more people can be tested closer to home in a familiar setting."

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.

"By working with partners like CVS and the health care community, Massachusetts has significantly increased COVID-19 testing and is a national leader in per-capita testing," said Governor Charlie Baker. "We are grateful to CVS for their partnership on this second major additional testing expansion at a number of sites across the Commonwealth, especially as we move toward a responsible, phased reopening of our economy."

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 additional new testing sites in Massachusetts include:

  • CVS Pharmacy, 1010 Revere Beach Parkway, Chelsea, MA 02150
  • CVS Pharmacy, 419 East Falmouth Highway, East Falmouth, MA 02536
  • CVS Pharmacy, 150 Lafayette Square, Haverhill, MA 01832
  • CVS Pharmacy, 480 North Franklin Street, Holbrook, MA 02343
  • CVS Pharmacy, 842 South Franklin Street, Holbrook MA 02343
  • CVS Pharmacy, 136 Ashley Boulevard, New Bedford, MA 02746
  • CVS Pharmacy, 272 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA 01970
  • CVS Pharmacy, 720 Boston Turnpike Road, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
  • CVS Pharmacy, 215 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077
  • CVS Pharmacy, 800 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA 02154
  • CVS Pharmacy, 301 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475
  • CVS Pharmacy, 652 South Street, Wrentham, MA 02093

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
Joseph.Goode@CVSHealth.com

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

CVS Health (PRNewsFoto/CVS Health)

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SOURCE CVS Health