LEWES, Del. - Delaware Division of Public Health's (DPH) updated testing plan aims to improve access, equity, and cost. The state also announced a new partnership with Walgreens on Wednesday.
The Walgreens in Bridgeville will be the first location in Sussex County to offer testing. Dover and Middletown will be the locations for Kent and New Castle County. DPH says the goal is for Delawareans to have access to COVID-19 testing of their choice, when and where they need it.
Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH Director, says "testing has evolved quite a lot from the beginning, since February, when we had very limited testing."
The updated testing plan balances the need for predictability, flexibility, and sustainability.
"Sustainability is key in our thinking, we want to use our resources as wisely as possible which is a part of how our plan was shaped," says Dr. Rattay.
Delaware's new partnership with Walgreens elevates the state's testing effort.
"We think about pharmacies as having a tremendous footprint throughout the state, more than 60 locations in Walgreens alone throughout the state. So tapping in to that available infrastructure and expertise at those locations, so Delawareans have a closer more reliable and accessible testing outlet at all times is a really great step forward," says Dr. Rick Pescatore, DPH Chief Physician.
Drive-thru testing at Walgreens will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 7 days a week. No appointment is required, and it's open to everyone regardless of symptoms and insurance. Walk-ups are available as well.
Customers cannot go inside the building for testing, and the test will be a self administered nasal swab. If you feel more comfortable, you can order a home testing kit, but you might have to pay for it.
"They all come with a variety of requirements, or a variety of costs, or a variety of needs, and some of them can be absolutely free, and some may require insurance, and some may require a doctor's note ... taking advantage of those resources is a great way to contribute to the overall testing effort," says Dr. Pescatore.
Click here for home test kit options.