Walgreens, CVS, Amazon Limit COVID-19 Tests For MD Shoppers

MARYLAND — With the nation experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases linked to the holidays, pharmacies including Walgreens and CVS are seeing an unprecedented demand for related testing and vaccine services and products.

The company has instituted a four-item purchase limit on at-home COVID-19 testing products in its stores and online.

CVS followed suit with its own policy, allowing customers to purchase five at-home COVID-19 tests.

And online retailer Amazon said individual shoppers can buy no more than 10 of its at-home PCR test kits, NBC News reported.

During the pandemic, Maryland has had a total of 663,414 confirmed COVID cases. As of Sunday, the state had a positivity rate of 15.85 percent.

The state has recorded a total of 11,022 deaths.

On Sunday, there were 1,584 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Maryland.

An Amazon spokesperson told CNBC the online retailer has shortages of some COVID tests due to increased demand, and is working to secure more tests.

CVS said last week the pharmacy had set a limit of six test kits per purchase both in stores and online, the New York Times reported. The company said kits sold online might become temporarily out of stock as it tries to make them available in its 4,800 stores to meet demand.

Related:

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• COVID-19 Tests Before Holidays Encouraged By MD Health Secretary
• Where To Get Tested For COVID-19 Near Bethesda This Week
• Where To Get Tested For COVID-19 Near Rockville This Week
• COVID Testing In Prince George's County: Where To Find Locations
• 100K At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits Available In Anne Arundel County

Walgreens is hoping the purchase limit will improve inventory and said it will continue to work with supplier partners to meet customer demands.

"We remain committed to meeting the needs of our customers and patients and are doing all we can to support our communities during this critical time," said John Standley, Walgreens president, in a news release. "With heightened demand for COVID vaccines, testing and other services, in addition to the busy holiday season, our pharmacy and store team members are working incredibly hard every day."

Walgreens anticipates a turnaround time of 24 to 48 hours for COVID-19 PCR test results. Rapid point-of-care tests are also available and results will continue to be available in less than 24 hours, according to the company.