CVS Health Makes COVID-19 Testing Available for Children 12 Years and Older at its More than 2,000 Drive-Thru Test Sites

Rhea-AI Summary

CVS Health announced the expansion of COVID-19 testing to children aged 12 and older at over 2,000 drive-thru test sites, effective September 11, 2020. The initiative responds to the urgent need for testing among minors as schools reopen. CVS has also increased its independent lab partners to expedite test result delivery, which typically takes 2–3 days. Self-swab tests are available at no cost to patients, with registration required in advance. To date, CVS has administered over three million COVID-19 tests since March 2020.

Positive

• Expanded COVID-19 testing eligibility to children aged 12 and older.
• Increased testing locations with more than 120 new sites opening.
• Improved turnaround time for test results, typically available within 2–3 days.
• No-cost self-swab tests for patients meeting CDC criteria.

Negative

• None.

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Sept. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its comprehensive effort to increase access to COVID-19 testing in order to help slow the spread of the virus, CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced that children age 12 years and older are eligible for testing at the more than 2,000 test sites located at select CVS Pharmacy drive-thru testing locations, starting Friday, September 11. In addition, more than 120 new test sites will open Friday at CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations across the country.

"With schools opening across the country, there's an urgent need to make testing for minors more readily available," said Troyen Brennan, MD, Chief Medical Officer, CVS Health. "In response, we've implemented a system that allows parents or guardians to register and accompany their children for a self-swab test close to home."

In recent weeks, CVS Health has expanded its network of independent third-party lab partners in an effort to help improve turnaround time for the delivery of test results. As a result, the majority of test results from specimens collected at CVS test sites across the country will generally be available within 2 – 3 days.

Self-swab tests are no cost to patients and will be available to individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria.¹ Patients must register in advance at CVS.com to schedule an appointment. Minors ages 12 and older are now eligible for COVID-19 testing at CVS Pharmacy drive-thru sites. A parent or legal guardian must complete the on-line registration for all minor patients, and patients 12 – 15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian when they come to be tested. Parents or guardians seeking testing for children under the age of 12 should consult with a pediatrician to identify appropriate testing options.

When arriving for testing, patients are asked to follow signage or the instructions of the staff onsite. Procedures vary by location and patients may be directed to stay in their cars and proceed to either the pharmacy drive-thru window or a parking space or tent located in the parking lot or, in very limited locations, to enter a CVS store. Patients will be provided with a test kit and given instructions, and a CVS Pharmacy team member will observe the self-swab process.

To date, CVS Health has administered more than three million COVID-19 tests since launching its first test site in the parking lot of a CVS Pharmacy location in Shrewsbury, Mass. in March.

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 is available at the company's frequently updated COVID-19 resource center.

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

¹COVID-19 tests are no cost to patients with insurance or through a program for the uninsured funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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
Joe Goode
(401) 378-5220
Joseph.Goode@CVSHealth.com

 

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SOURCE CVS Health

FAQ

What is the new COVID-19 testing policy for minors at CVS?

CVS Health has expanded COVID-19 testing to children aged 12 years and older at over 2,000 drive-thru test sites starting September 11, 2020.

How many COVID-19 tests has CVS administered?

CVS Health has administered more than three million COVID-19 tests since March 2020.

Are COVID-19 tests for minors at CVS free?

Yes, COVID-19 self-swab tests at CVS are available at no cost for eligible patients.

What is the typical turnaround time for COVID-19 test results at CVS?

The majority of COVID-19 test results from CVS test sites are generally available within 2–3 days.

When did CVS start offering COVID-19 testing for children?

CVS Health started offering COVID-19 testing for children age 12 and older on September 11, 2020.