Good Question: Will Walgreens do COVID tests this winter?

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Here’s a Good Question about getting tested for COVID.

Sharon sent News10NBC’s Brennan Somers an email saying: “I am a healthcare worker who is going weekly for testing. At present, it is the Walgreens site in Webster on Hard Road. They do this outside and have canceled in past due to weather. Any idea if there are plans for winter?”

It’s something that’s happened to other people who had tests called off just for rain, let alone the snow that’s on the way.

That’s because it’s a pop-up drive-thru site, and there are four Walgreens locations offering free tests to those who qualify.

Somers reached out to the company about plans in the coming months. A spokesperson said they “are in the process of winterizing our COVID-19 testing locations that operate outdoors in drive-up lanes by bringing in additional tents and heaters. Additionally, we have also opened testing sites which operate out of the pharmacy drive-thru window.”

Testing at the Walgreens sites is a nasal swab you do yourself while staying in your car. Most patients get results back the same day or within 72 hours.

Here’s the rest of the response News10NBC got from the company:

“We also announce late last week, Covid-19 tests are now available to children age 3 and older, who meet criteria to receive a test. Parents can follow the steps at Walgreens.com/COVID19Testing to schedule a testing appointment and will be required to provide electronic consent as well as accompany any minor to the testing location. At testing sites, the Walgreens pharmacy team will provide instruction to the parent on how to administer the COVID-19 test to a child. Adolescents may self-administer the COVID-19 test if desired.”

Testing is available at no cost to individuals who meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention established criteria.

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