CINCINNATI, April 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kroger
Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), today
announced plans to expand its drive-thru COVID-19 testing model to
50 locations in more than 12 states to perform up to 100,000 tests
by the end of May. To date, Kroger Health has performed nearly
8,000 tests in 30 locations in Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. The company has also launched a
pilot for site-specific testing for company associates in
Michigan and Colorado.
"As America's grocer, Kroger is here for our associates,
customers, communities and our country," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "As
part of Kroger's commitment to help America reopen safely, we are
proud to help expand access to COVID-19 testing as a partner in the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public-Private Testing
Partnership."
A key enabler of this expansion is pharmacists' ability to order
and administer testing. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a statement on Authorizing
Licensed Pharmacists to Order and Administer COVID-19 Tests.
"I'm particularly energized by the opportunity for our
pharmacists to take a lead role at testing sites through the
expanded scope of practice," said Colleen
Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. "This will enable tens
of thousands of additional healthcare professionals to join the
fight on the frontlines."
Through the collaboration, HHS is providing access to test kits
and laboratory services via eTrueNorth and Kroger Health is
providing professional services via its multidisciplinary team of
nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and technicians.
"We cannot do this alone," continued Lindholz. "We greatly
appreciate the collaboration and partnership with HHS and
eTrueNorth and federal, state and local health departments and
authorities as we work together to not only offer and administer
testing, but to build the infrastructure and support necessary to
establish each site."
Using the HHS-recommended testing model, Kroger Health performs
approximately 250-330 tests per day. Kroger Health testing sites
use anterior nares or mid-turbinate nasal swab tests that are
designed to increase safety. Patients remain in their cars
throughout the testing process, which is completed in just a few
minutes using self-administered test kits.
Americans can access Kroger Health's free virtual screening tool
to determine if testing is appropriate for them and identify
available, dates and locations at krogerhealth.com/covidtesting.
The screening tool was adapted from CDC recommendations and is
intended to identify patients most in need of testing.
Additionally, the website is updated weekly as new testing sites
continue to open across the country.
About Kroger Health:
Kroger Health, the healthcare arm of The Kroger Co., is one of
America's leading retail healthcare organizations, with over 2,000
pharmacies and 220 clinics in 35 states serving more than 14
million customers. Our team of 22,000 healthcare practitioners -
from pharmacists and nurse practitioners, to dietitians and
technicians – are committed to helping people live healthier lives.
We believe in practicing at the top of our licenses and enabling
"food as medicine" to help prevent disease before it starts. Learn
more at www.krogerhealth.com.
About The Kroger Co.:
At The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone™ and dedicated to our
Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit®. We are, across our family
of companies, nearly half a million associates who serve over 11
million customers daily through a seamless shopping experience
under a variety of banner names. We are committed to creating
#ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us,
visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
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SOURCE The Kroger Co.