CVS COVID-19 test results reportedly taking longer than customers have been told

CVS Health, the largest pharmacy chain conductor of COVID-19 tests in the United States, on July 13 instructed some employees administering tests to tell customers that it typically takes 5-7 days to get results, in an internal memo reviewed by the Wall Street Journal. Some customers tested in late June and early July have reported that it has taken 10 days or more to get results from CVS, which processes its tests through third-party laboratories. The website for CVS’s MinuteClinic, which conducts COVID-19 tests, indicated on Thursday that results would be available in 5-7 days. By Friday, the site had been updated and said results could take 6-10 days. CVS said it had issued updated guidance to employees regarding extended delays. The company has been trying to keep up with a rapidly changing situation as demand for tests surges, CVS spokesman Michael DeAngelis said. “As we are getting information from our lab partners we’re updating our communications to our patients both through our stores and our website,” he stated. “We understand the frustrations about the delays that are being experienced at the third-party labs,” DeAngelis said. “Our goal was to meet the need in the country for more testing. We stepped up and provided that.” He added that CVS is considering adding more labs to process the results.