The newly available diagnostic test detects active COVID-19 and/or flu infection, with results available in as few as 30 minutes
eTrueNorth's mission is to provide access to basic health and wellness services to every individual through its curated network of trusted providers at retail pharmacies. (Credit: Drew Hays on Unsplash)
As of March 3, 2023, Iowans who display symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu may be tested and treated at no cost with one visit to a local pharmacy through a new partnership between supermarket Hy-Vee, Inc. and healthcare company eTrueNorth. The newly available diagnostic test detects active COVID-19 and/or flu infection, with results available in as few as 30 minutes.
Together, these two companies bring the test to treat service to a first wave of nine Hy-Vee pharmacies throughout Iowa until April 30, 2023. The effort is part of a trial program, one of the first of its kind in the state.
Individuals must be over the age of 12 and first complete an online assessment before participating in a free, scheduled, drive-thru testing process. If results are positive the participant may be treated directly by an available Hy-Vee pharmacist.
“Symptoms for respiratory infections like COVID-19, flu, and even RSV, are similar. People worry about which infection they may have and whether they would benefit from treatment beyond routine symptom management,” said Andy Dum, vice president, Pharmacy Solutions for eTrueNorth. “Rapid combination test results coupled with pharmacist-prescribed treatment at community pharmacies are solutions eTrueNorth is supporting for our pharmacy partners.”
eTrueNorth, with the tagline Fitting Healthcare into Everyday Life™, has been helping Americans more easily access healthcare since their founding in 2013. As partners with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program, eTrueNorth works with pharmacies and other testing facilities nationwide to offer no-cost COVID-19 testing.
“We are honored to be part of this nationwide effort with the CDC and HHS. Every day we strive to simplify Americans’ lives by helping them gain access to healthcare through their neighborhood pharmacies,” said Kyle Alexander, president and chief operating officer for eTrueNorth. “Doing so improves outcomes toward becoming a healthier population.”
Part of the eTrueNorth mission is to increase the availability of point of care testing which offer results during the same visit. These may include fingerstick blood tests (such as A1C, cholesterol, HIV, and hepatitis C) and nasal or saliva swab tests (like COVID-19, strep throat, and influenza).
Source: Company Press Release