CVS To Open 2 Large Coronavirus Testing Facilities In CT: Lamont

ACROSS CONNECTICUT — CVS Health is in "negotiations" to perhaps bring rapid coronavirus testing to some locations in Connecticut, a spokesman for the pharmacy chain said Wednesday. Joseph Goode, the senior director for corporate communications at CVS Health, was clear that the company is discussing testing sites in several states and no announcement has been made for the Nutmeg State.

Meanwhile, at his Wednesday afternoon news conference, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont elaborated on those negotiations. Lamont said he hoped to have one station online in Stamford and New Haven, respectively, within 10 days. Both facilities would offer rapid 15-minute drive-up testing for the coronavirus.

CVS Health recently ran a pilot testing site in Shrewsbury, MA that led the launch of a new rapid testing site in Lowell, MA. The site will provide Massachusetts residents with on-the-spot coronavirus testing and results at "no cost" using the new "Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 Test," and joins rapid testing sites in Georgia and Rhode Island launched earlier this week, CVS Health officials said.

Similar to the rapid COVID-19 test sites in Georgia and Rhode Island, testing in Lowell will be overseen by licensed health care providers from MinuteClinic, the retail medical clinic of CVS Health. Rapid COVID-19 testing will take place in the parking lot of the Showcase Cinemas located at 32 Reiss Ave., in Lowell, officials.

"Our initial experience in Massachusetts has enabled us to expand testing into other states while maximizing efficiency and safety," said Troyen Brennan, the chief medical officer and executive vice president for CVS Health. "We are now able to significantly improve upon our testing capabilities in the state, greatly expanding access to testing with rapid results for eligible individuals."

CVS Health's testing station in Lowell can accommodate up to 1,000 tests per day, officials said. Results ate tabulated on-site so quarantines or treatments can be set up "as appropriate."

CVS officials said rapid testing will be available to eligible individuals who meet criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in addition to state residency and age guidelines.

If testing does come to Connecticut, Patients will need to pre-register in advance online at CVS.com in order to schedule a same-day time slot for testing, officials said.