CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is opening nearly 20 drive-thru Covid-19 testing sites in the Charlotte area on Friday.
The drive-thru sites are typically open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Self-swab tests are available to those who meet federal and state criteria. Patients must stay in their cars. A CVS Pharmacy employee will provide the kit and give instructions. The tests are then sent to Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) for results, which CVS said would be available in about three days.
Patients must register for an appointment before coming to a site. Search participating locations here.
The drive-thrus are part of a larger initiative to set up 1,000 of these nationwide by the end of May. CVS made that pledge about a month ago. The company rolled them out in phases starting May 15. This is the third phase. CVS already set up rapid testing sites in five states, including Georgia in the Southeast region.
There will be 55 total drive-thru testing sites in North Carolina, said Brian Bache, region director.
"The access to testing is critical as far as this next phase in dealing with the pandemic nationwide," Bache said. "We want to be at the forefront of the solution for the Covid-19 pandemic."
More than 500 sites are in underserved communities facing poverty, crowded housing and less transportation access. CVS tracks those statistics based on the Social Vulnerability Index from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Counties are given SVI scores ranging from zero to 1 for low vulnerability to high vulnerability, respectively. Mecklenburg County, for example, comes in at 0.51. Surrounding counties, such as Rowan and Gaston, have higher scores.
North Carolina began the second phase of its reopening plan on May 22. Called "safer at home," this phase limits gatherings but allows restaurants and retailers to open at 50% capacity. Clubs, gyms and movie theaters remain closed. This latest phase is expected to last until at least June 26.
Testing availability has been a concern for months. Officials have limited testing based on health criteria to preserve supplies. Many patients have been turned away. Leaders have said the U.S. has nowhere near the amount of testing it needs.
The CDC reports more than 15.7 million completed tests with about 12% coming back positive. North Carolina reports more than 375,000 completed tests with about 7% returning positive results.
Atrium Health, Novant Health and Tryon Medical Partners are also conducting Covid-19 tests locally.
“We know that more testing is key to beating Covid-19, and we look forward to continuing to work with CVS and other partners to meet and exceed our testing goals," Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement.
Bache said more testing means Covid-19 carriers will be quarantined more quickly to slow the spread.
CVS implemented training for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians at participating locations, he said. They were trained in testing techniques, sterilization and ways to coach patients. CVS will staff its locations to support regular day-to-day operations plus the testing drive-thrus, Bache said.
CVS will provide testing as long as supplies are available, spokesperson Tara Burke said. Its goal is to complete up to 1.5 million tests per month.