FROM WORCESTER WITH THAT TONIGHT. DAVID? DAVID, GOOD EVENING -- DAVID, GOOD EVENING. DAVID: A GOOD EVENING TO YOU. FOR MOST PATIENTS, IT TOOK LESS THAN 10 MINUTES. THEY DROVE UP TO THE WINDOW, WERE HANDED A KIT AND SWAP TO THEIR NOSE. >> IT IS NOT SCARY. IT DOESN’T HURT. DAVID: UNLIKE OTHER NASAL SWABS, THIS ONE IS LESS INVASIVE. >> THIS IS ONE INCH UP YOUR NOSE, AS OPPOSED TO GOING RIGHT UP TO YOUR EYEBALL MAYBE. DAVID: THIS IS ONE OF THE LOCATIONS CVS HAS OPENED. THE REPORTED INITIAL TECHNICAL PROBLEMS. ONE WOMAN, WHO DID NOT WANT HER FACE SHOWN, SAID SHE WAITED MORE THAN AN HOUR. >> THEY WERE A LITTLE UNORGANIZED. THEY WERE VERY NICE. FELT TERRIBLE. DAVID: PATIENTS MEAN TO ME GOVERNMENT CRITERIA, SUCH AS HAVING SYMPTOMS, HAVING BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH SOMETHING -- WITH SOMEONE YOU TESTED POSITIVE, OR BEING A NURSE OR DOCTOR AT RISK. >> I AM 71. AGE IS PART OF IT. I HAVE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A NAGGING COLD. DAVID: CVS SAYS THE PATIENTS BEING TESTED TODAY SHOULD GET THE RESULTS IN THREE OR FOUR DAYS. THE COMPANY IS ASKING PEOP
CVS opens 9 new drive-thru coronavirus testing sites in Massachusetts
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Updated: 5:47 PM EDT May 15, 2020
CVS Health is opening nine new drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites across Massachusetts on Friday as part of the company's efforts to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.The new Bay State sites will utilize self-swab tests and are part of the first rollout of new CVS testing sites across the country, which includes 41 other locations in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida and Pennsylvania. This marks the next phase of the company's nationwide COVID-19 testing strategy, which was announced April 27 at the White House.The new testing sites in Massachusetts include: CVS Pharmacy, 142 Worcester Road, Charlton, MA 01507 CVS Pharmacy, 44 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA 01608 CVS Pharmacy, 266 Route 44, Raynham, MA 02767 CVS Pharmacy, 366 King Street, Northampton, MA 01060 CVS Pharmacy, 9-19 Summer Street, Bridgewater, MA 02324 CVS Pharmacy, 100D North Main Street, Carver, MA 02330 CVS Pharmacy, 928 Riverdale Street, West Springfield, MA 01089 CVS Pharmacy, 311 Newbury Street, Danvers, MA 01923 CVS Pharmacy, 599 State Road, Westport, MA 02790CVS had announced a site in Wellesley, but after the town raised concerns about the proximity to a grocery store and people standing outside, the pharmacy said it would not open a site at that location. CVS Health expects to have up to 1,000 drive-thru testing locations 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 opening of additional test sites across the state and the country will be announced over the next two weeks."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 chief executive officer of CVS Health. "Our front-line employees will continue to play a critical role in the testing process, with members of their communities directly benefiting from their dedication and selflessness.”Self-swab tests at the new COVID-19 testing locations will be available for individuals who meet the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to age guidelines. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com starting Friday to schedule an appointment.Patients will be required to stay in their cars and will be directed to the pharmacy's drive-thru window, where they will be provided with a test kit and given instructions. A CVS Pharmacy team member will observe the self-swab process to make sure the patient is doing it 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 at locations with a drive-thru testing site will continue to serve customers and patients.
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health is opening nine new drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites across Massachusetts on Friday as part of the company's efforts to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The new Bay State sites will utilize self-swab tests and are part of the first rollout of new CVS testing sites across the country, which includes 41 other locations in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida and Pennsylvania. This marks the next phase of the company's nationwide COVID-19 testing strategy, which was announced April 27 at the White House.
The new testing sites in Massachusetts include:
- CVS Pharmacy, 142 Worcester Road, Charlton, MA 01507
- CVS Pharmacy, 44 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA 01608
- CVS Pharmacy, 266 Route 44, Raynham, MA 02767
- CVS Pharmacy, 366 King Street, Northampton, MA 01060
- CVS Pharmacy, 9-19 Summer Street, Bridgewater, MA 02324
- CVS Pharmacy, 100D North Main Street, Carver, MA 02330
- CVS Pharmacy, 928 Riverdale Street, West Springfield, MA 01089
- CVS Pharmacy, 311 Newbury Street, Danvers, MA 01923
- CVS Pharmacy, 599 State Road, Westport, MA 02790
CVS had announced a site in Wellesley, but after the town raised concerns about the proximity to a grocery store and people standing outside, the pharmacy said it would not open a site at that location.
CVS Health expects to have up to 1,000 drive-thru testing locations 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 opening of additional test sites across the state and the country will be announced over the next two weeks.
"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 chief executive officer of CVS Health. "Our front-line employees will continue to play a critical role in the testing process, with members of their communities directly benefiting from their dedication and selflessness.”
Self-swab tests at the new COVID-19 testing locations will be available for individuals who meet the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to age guidelines. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com starting Friday to schedule an appointment.
Patients will be required to stay in their cars and will be directed to the pharmacy's drive-thru window, where they will be provided with a test kit and given instructions. A CVS Pharmacy team member will observe the self-swab process to make sure the patient is doing it 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 at locations with a drive-thru testing site will continue to serve customers and patients.
