CVS Health Expands Testing Capabilities Amid Rise in COVID-19 Cases; Adds 15 Additional New Drive-Thru Test Sites in Arizona

Rhea-AI Summary

CVS Health has expanded its COVID-19 testing program by launching 15 additional drive-thru test sites in Arizona, effective June 26, 2020. This initiative increases CVS's testing capacity to over 1.5 million tests per month. The company has opened nearly 1,400 testing sites nationwide since May, with almost 60% located in areas identified as high-need according to the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index. Self-swab tests will be available to eligible individuals through prior registration at CVS.com. CVS's efforts aim to enhance access to testing for underserved populations amid rising COVID-19 cases.

Positive

• Expansion of testing capacity to over 1.5 million tests per month.
• Opening of 15 additional drive-thru test sites in Arizona addresses increased demand.
• Nearly 1,400 testing locations opened since May, reflecting commitment to community health.
• Partnerships with community organizations boost access to underserved populations.

Negative

• None.

WOONSOCKET, R.I., June 25, 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 15 additional test sites at select CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations across Arizona. The opening of additional test sites on Friday, June 26 add to the 49 locations previously opened in Arizona.

The opening of these new sites reflects the company's commitment to meeting ongoing demand for testing, as well as expanding testing capacity to respond to a surge in new COVID-19 cases. The nearly 200 additional test sites opening across the country this week are among the more than 1,400 locations CVS Health has opened since May and expand the company's testing capacity to more than 1.5 million tests per month, subject to availability of supplies and lab capacity.

In addition to the drive-thru sites, CVS Health has partnered with a number of community organizations to open eight rapid-response community testing sites across the country, including a site at St. Vincent de Paul's Virginia G. Piper Medical & Dental Clinic in Phoenix, which aim to increase access to testing for uninsured and underserved populations who are at highest risk for COVID-19.

"One of our greatest strengths as a company is our local presence in communities across the country, which enables us to uniquely expand people's access to safe and effective COVID-19 testing options and respond to a need for increased testing capacity," said Larry J. Merlo, President and CEO, CVS Health. "We continue to be grateful for the commitment of our frontline colleagues who make these testing sites possible and whose dedication has allowed us to keep our stores open for customers seeking supplies and patients who need care."

Nearly sixty percent of the company's 1,400 test sites across the country, including all sites in Arizona, are in counties that serve communities with the greatest need for support, as measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention'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.

Self-swab tests will be available to individuals meeting CDC criteria, in addition to state and age guidelines. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com to schedule an appointment. Patients will be required to stay in their cars and will be directed to the pharmacy drive-thru window or a location in the parking lot at a few stores, 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 Arizona include:

• CVS Pharmacy, 5400 East Carefree Highway, Carefree, AZ 85377
• CVS Pharmacy, 2371 East Guadalupe Street, Gilbert, AZ 85234
• CVS Pharmacy, 5125 West Olive Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85302
• CVS Pharmacy, 9856 West Peoria Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85345
• CVS Pharmacy, 6650 West Lower Buckeye Road, Phoenix, AZ 85043
• CVS Pharmacy, 3210 East Union Hills, Phoenix, AZ 85032
• CVS Pharmacy, 2406 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85216
• CVS Pharmacy, 3610 West Anthem Way, Phoenix, AZ 85086
• CVS Pharmacy, 28635 North Valley Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85085
• CVS Pharmacy, 7552 Indian School Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
• CVS Pharmacy, 7111 East Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
• CVS Pharmacy, 1424 West Baseline Road, Tempe, AZ 85283
• CVS Pharmacy, 7740 North Cortaro Road, Tucson, AZ 85743
• CVS Pharmacy, 1900 West Valencia Road, Tucson, AZ 85746
• CVS Pharmacy, 1555 South Avenue B, Yuma, AZ 85364

A complete list of CVS Pharmacy drive-thru test sites can be found -19%2Ftesting-locations&a=here" rel="nofollow">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. 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 www.cvshealth.com

Media Contact
Monica Prinzing, (831) 241-8294
PrinzingM@aetna.com

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SOURCE CVS Health

FAQ

What recent announcement did CVS make regarding COVID-19 testing?

CVS Health announced the opening of 15 new drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites in Arizona, effective June 26, 2020.

How many total COVID-19 test sites does CVS have?

CVS Health has opened nearly 1,400 COVID-19 test sites across the country since May.

What is CVS's testing capacity for COVID-19?

CVS Health's testing capacity has been expanded to over 1.5 million tests per month.

How can individuals get tested at CVS for COVID-19?

Individuals must register in advance at CVS.com to schedule an appointment for a self-swab test.

What areas are prioritized for CVS's testing sites?

Nearly 60% of CVS's testing sites are located in counties identified as high-need by the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index.