Walgreens expands access to COVID testing

DEERFIELD - Walgreens and Burlington, North Carolina-based Labcorp. announced the nationwide availability of Pixel by Labcorp COVID-19 at-home collection kit, available at no cost to individuals who meet clinical guidelines.

The Labcorp COVID-19 at-home collection kit uses the same PCR test trusted by doctors and hospitals across the country, Walgreens said. PCR testing detects all current variants of the virus.

"Expanding our offerings with Walgreens to provide Labcorp COVID-19 at-home collection kits to Walgreens customers makes testing within reach for more individuals across the country, including those communities that might otherwise have a harder time accessing health care," said Dr. Brian Caveney, chief medical officer and president, Labcorp Diagnostics.

In addition to the new program, Walgreens offers free drive-thru testing for everyone ages 3 and older at more than 7,000 locations nationwide, with more than half of Walgreens COVID-19 testing sites located in socially vulnerable areas.

Individuals must meet one or more of the following requirements to qualify for a free Labcorp COVID-19 test: Experiencing mild symptoms; exposed to someone with COVID-19; live or work in a congregate setting; and/or asked to get tested by a healthcare professional, contact investigator or public health department.