WOONSOCKET, R.I., March 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As announced
on March 13, we've been working with
the administration and other partners to help facilitate increased
frequency and efficiency of COVID-19 testing as part of our
multifaceted response to the pandemic. Public-private partnerships
are a powerful force, especially in times of need, and all parties
have been focused on expanding access to testing as soon as
possible.
Today, in close coordination with the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Public
Health Service, and Governor Charlie
Baker's administration, we're opening a COVID-19 testing
site for a limited population in the parking lot of a CVS Pharmacy
in Shrewsbury,
Massachusetts. It's important to understand that
this is our first site, which means there will
likely be issues that arise. Those issues will be addressed
immediately and inform the opening of other sites – in CVS Pharmacy
parking lots and elsewhere. The goal is to serve as a model for
testing.
Testing will initially focus on a critical population: first
responders and health care workers. State officials have identified
a group of brave women and men who are on the frontlines of the
pandemic and have potentially been exposed to COVID-19. The sooner
they are tested, the sooner they can continue to help others, in
particular the most vulnerable members of our communities.
We understand there will be significant interest from
Massachusetts residents in
visiting the site and possibly being tested. The site does not,
and will not, administer tests on a walk-up or drive-up basis.
As the administration has shared, details on screening and
potential assignment to a testing site will be forthcoming.
We also understand there will be significant interest from
members of the media, many of whom have been working around the
clock to keep Americans informed of the latest COVID-19
developments. We're working with local media to help spread the
message of how the testing site will operate, but we're limiting
non-testing onsite activities. As such, we will not provide
media access to the secure testing area.
Throughout this process we've been encouraged by how quickly
everyone has joined forces in the face of significant challenges.
We've also been amazed by the commitment
and selflessness demonstrated by our employees. We're all in
this together.
More information on the steps we've already taken to address the
COVID-19 pandemic – including waiving charges for home delivery of
prescription medications and making diagnostic testing and
Aetna-covered telemedicine visits available with no co-pay – is
available at our frequently updated COVID-19 resource center.
Media Contact
T.J. Crawford
212-457-0583
CrawfordT2@aetna.com
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SOURCE CVS Health