CVS Health expands COVID-19 self-swab locations to 23 in Tampa Bay

CVS Health on Friday will add seven new locations for people to swab themselves for COVID-19 in Tampa Bay.

The company launched the self-swab drive-thru sites last month and has been expanding the service to other locations throughout the state and country since then. The newest local options will open in Bradenton, Clearwater, Lakeland and Tampa, raising the number of such sites to 23.

The drive-thru test is overseen by a pharmacist, who then sends the sample to a third-party lab. People are expected to get results within three days, said CVS spokeswoman Tara Burke. There will be no cost to the patient, though anyone with insurance will be asked to provide proof.

The goal is to process up to 1.5 million tests per month, subject to availability of supplies and lab capacity, according to the company.

CVS is make testing available to anyone experiencing symptoms who meets the requirements listed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

The Tampa Bay stores have the capacity to test up to 50 people a day, Burke said. People must make appointments by visiting CVS.com. All testing will take place inside a person’s car. No walk-ups will be accepted and no testing will take place inside stores.

CVS Testing: What you need to know

WHEN: The sites typically operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., based on appointments. The sites with asterisks open Friday.

HOW: Patients must first book appointments by visiting CVS.com.

WHERE: These are the 23 CVS pharmacies providing the self-swab, drive-thru tests.

• 520 First Street W, Bradenton*
• 4302 Cortez Road W, Bradenton*
• 715 Brandon Blvd., Brandon
• 1899 N Highland Ave., Clearwater*
• 1 South Missouri Ave., Clearwater
• 20287 U.S. 19, Clearwater
• 4000 East Bay Drive, Clearwater
• 2175 Main Street, Dunedin
• 5010 South Florida Ave., Lakeland*
• 8905 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo
• 2322 Land O‘ Lakes Blvd., Lutz
• 15129 Madeira Way, Madeira Beach*
• 3771 Tampa Road, Oldsmar
• 5905 U.S. 301, Riverview
• 8001 Ninth Street N, St. Petersburg
• 7351 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa*
• 8809 New Tampa Blvd., Tampa*
• 4401 W Gandy Blvd., Tampa
• 2911 E Fowler Ave., Tampa
• 5357 Ehrlich Road, Tampa
• 4120 #2 Henderson Blvd., Tampa
• 611 S Howard Ave., Tampa
• 1000 E Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs

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