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Hy-Vee set to launch rapid antibody COVID testing

Fingerstick test to become available next week at over 250 pharmacies

Russell Redman

January 14, 2021

3 Min Read
Hy-Vee food pharmacy store-Nebraska_1.jpg
The rapid antibody tests, which indicate if a person has previously been infected with COVID-19, are slated to become available across Hy-Vee's eight-state market area on Jan. 18.Hy-Vee

Expanding its coronavirus diagnostic services, Hy-Vee next week plans to start offering COVID-19 rapid antibody testing at more than 250 pharmacy locations.

The Midwestern grocer said Thursday that the rapid antibody tests will become available across its eight-state market area on Jan. 18. Patients will get results on the same day of the test, in as soon as 15 minutes. 

Indicated for those not currently experiencing coronavirus symptoms, rapid antibody testing indicates if a person has been infected with COVID-19 in the past and has developed antibodies to the virus.

The rapid antibody test, administered by a fingerstick, doesn’t show if a person has a current COVID-19 infection, since it can take one to three weeks after infection for the production of antibodies, Hy-Vee noted. 

Coronavirus antibody testing is available by appointment only. To get a test, patients must register online at hy-vee.com/covidtesting and choose “antibody test” to schedule a test time and location and receive a test voucher. The tests are administered inside a Hy-Vee Pharmacy by one of its trained pharmacy staffers. After testing is completed, results will be emailed to the patient that same day. 

Children ages 6 years and older can receive a rapid antibody test when registered and accompanied by a parent or guardian, Hy-Vee said, adding that all patients must wear a face mask during the testing process. The test costs $25, and Hy-Vee said it will accept any form of payment, including health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA). Patients pay for their test when they arrive at the designated pharmacy. 

Related:H-E-B, Hy-Vee kick off COVID-19 vaccinations

Rapid antibody testing dates and times vary by location, with some pharmacies beginning on Jan. 25 or Feb. 1. Hy-Vee said the tests will be offered at 17 pharmacies in Illinois, 125 in Iowa, 11 in Kansas, 33 in Minnesota, 26 in Missouri, 25 in Nebraska, 11 in South Dakota and three in Wisconsin.

Hy-Vee has steadily built up its coronavirus testing capabilities launching molecular PCR COVID-19 tests on a limited basis at nearly a dozen pharmacies in August. The free drive-up testing — for those seeking to find out if they’re currently infected with the virus — is now offered outside at more than 180 Hy-Vee pharmacies in tandem with diagnostic lab services provider eTrueNorth. Results are typically available in three to five business days. Patients are given a self-administered nasal swab test kit from a Hy-Vee pharmacy employee, who explains how to perform the test and supervises the process.

Related:Hy-Vee adds more drive-up COVID-19 test sites

Last month, Hy-Vee also began rapid antigen testing for coronavirus via an outside, drive-thru testing process at 47 pharmacy locations. Performed via nasal swab, the tests deliver results on the same day, in as soon as one or two hours. Hy-Vee has since expanded the rapid antigen tests to 59 pharmacies. Patients can register for a rapid antigen or molecular PCR test at hy-vee.com/covidtesting to make an appointment.

And in late December, Hy-Vee kicked off COVID-19 vaccinations, beginning with frontline health care personnel. Earlier in the month, the retailer announced plans to hire 1,000 pharmacy technicians across its market area to support expanded coronavirus testing and preparations for the distribution of coronavirus vaccines.

Overall, Hy-Vee operates more than 275 stores in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

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About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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