CINCINNATI, Oct. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kroger Health,
the healthcare division of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), today
announced the launch of rapid antibody testing across its
family of pharmacies, expanding the company's existing portfolio of
in-clinic and at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests, to help
inform patients if they have previously been infected with
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The FDA-authorized rapid antibody tests—conducted using
a finger-prick blood sample—are now available at Kroger
pharmacies in California (Ralphs)
and Michigan and will be available
at all Kroger pharmacies and clinics by the end of November. The
tests, which are supplied by Whitmire Medical, are available to
Kroger customers for $25 and
typically provide results within 15 minutes. Individuals who
believe they may have previously been infected with COVID-19 and
are not currently experiencing symptoms are eligible for the
test.
In September, the American Society for Microbiology
reported that 73% of surveyed testing labs experienced a
shortage of commercial testing kits for SARS-CoV-2, a capacity
challenge that may have hindered testing accessibility for many
Americans. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in many states,
Kroger Health's rapid antibody test may provide critical
information about past infection to patients who believe they may
have been exposed to the coronavirus but were unable to access
testing at the time of infection.
"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Kroger Heath has remained committed to helping
people live healthier lives by offering in-clinic and at-home
COVID-19 testing solutions supported by our multi-disciplinary team
of licensed, trained and experienced healthcare providers," said
Colleen Lindholz, president of
Kroger Health. "Making rapid antibody testing available across our
family of pharmacies will not only provide an affordable and
convenient testing solution for individuals who want to understand
if they have previously been infected with the virus that causes
COVID-19, but also help clinicians understand the long-term impacts
of COVID-19 and potential public health strategies for fighting the
disease."
Kroger Health's rapid antibody tests are conducted by a licensed
health professional using a fingerstick blood sample and the
Assure COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Device, a rapid lateral flow
chromatographic immunoassay (configured like a blood sugar test) to
detect antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The test was first
authorized by the FDA for emergency use in July and
further authorized for broader point-of-care use in
September. Kroger is the first retailer to offer the testing
solution to its customers.
Research is still underway to determine how long antibodies are
present following infection and if the presence of antibodies
provides protective immunity. Regardless of the testing result, all
patients should continue to practice FDA-recommended safety
guidelines, including social distancing and wearing masks. The
Assure COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test should not be used to diagnose
an active infection, as the test only detects antibodies developed
in response to the virus, not the virus itself.
For more information, visit KrogerHealth.com.
About Kroger Health:
Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., is one of
America's leading retail healthcare organizations, with over 2,200
pharmacies and 220 clinics in 35 states serving more than 14
million customers. Our team of 22,000 healthcare
practitioners – from pharmacists and nurse practitioners, to
dietitians and technicians – are committed to helping people live
healthier lives. We believe in practicing at the top of our
licenses and enabling "food as medicine" to help prevent or manage
certain diseases. We are dedicated to providing testing and
wellness services to help Americans combat the COVID-19 crisis.
Learn more at www.krogerhealth.com.
About The Kroger Co.:
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we
are Fresh for Everyone™ and dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed
the Human Spirit®. We are, across our family of companies, nearly
half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily
through a seamless shopping experience under a variety
of banner names. We are committed to creating
#ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us,
visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
About Whitmire Medical:
Established in 1986, Whitmire
Medical specializes in point of care diagnostic solutions for
pharmacy and IDN applications. Utilizing a consultative approach,
we partner with users to deliver best-in-class products and
services tailored to their needs with a focus on optimizing
clinical, operational and financial outcomes. Beyond exceptional
pricing and traditional distribution functions, Whitmire offers
personalized logistic and implementation support, training, and
troubleshooting assistance by AACC educated POC specialists. For
more information, visit www.whitmiremedical.com.
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SOURCE The Kroger Co.