Healthcare professionals and pharmacies are trying to keep up with increases in the demand for COVID antigen and PCR testing.
CVS and Walgreens Pharmacies both offer in-store testing but urge customers to go to their respective websites and make an appointment.
Walgreens said they continue to see high demand for testing services and products.
“Availability for COVID-19 testing appointments fluctuates daily and is limited in many areas of the country,” cautioned spokesman Alex Brown. “We encourage customers to visit www.Walgreens.com/Covid19Testing to determine the latest availability and schedule their appointment. We anticipate 24- to 48-hour turnaround time for COVID-19 test results.”
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CVS also has same day and future appointments available in most areas. Customers have two options: a rapid test with results available within hours or a self-administered swab at pharmacy drive-through windows. That test is processed at a third-party lab. Results are generally available in 1-to-3 days but may take longer due to local surges of cases. https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing
Customers can also use the websites to schedule vaccinations and booster shots.
Stores nationwide are reporting no, or limited supply, of the COVID-19 home testing kits.
CVS is working to provide stores with inventory of the five over the counter at-home tests it offers. CVS is working to stock Abbott BinaxNOW, Acon FlowFlex, Quidel Quickvue, Ellume, and Pixel by LabCorp. Where there is stock available, customers are limited to six kits per purchase.
Walgreens has also instituted a purchase limit where at-home tests are available, both in-store and online. Customers are limited to purchasing four kits at a time.
Patients seeking COVID-19 treatment are placing a new burden on hospitals, emergency rooms and doctors’ offices. Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, said the surge is combined with flu and other illnesses.
“We can help relieve this burden and make sure that medical care is available for those who immediately need it by making sure that we’re doing two important things. First of all, please do not visit an emergency room for a COVID-19 test. There are more than 300 testing sites that are open around the state each day,” she said, adding “And secondly, if you test positive but you have mild to moderate symptoms, you also do not need to seek emergency care. You can treat mild to moderate symptoms like a cough or a sore throat or runny nose or body aches at home by following the label instructions on over-the-counter medications just like you wouldn’t for the flu or a cold.”
There are also two prescription anti-viral medications approved for use at home by patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms.
Pfizer’s Paxlovid can be used by adults and pediatric patients aged 12 and older weighing at least 88 pounds. Merk’s anti-viral pills can be used by adults aged 18 and older. Both require a doctor’s prescription.
The Georgia Department of Health said both medications have been distributed to two Walgreens locations in the Augusta area, at 3900 Washington Road and 4310 Washington Road.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
