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Kroger rolls out rapid antibody COVID-19 testing to all pharmacies

Supermarket giant becomes nation’s first retailer to offer antibody tests to customers

Russell Redman

October 28, 2020

3 Min Read
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All Kroger Co. pharmacies and Little Clinics are expected to provide rapid antibody COVID-19 tests by the end of next month.Kroger Health

The Kroger Co. has begun offering customers rapid antibody COVID-19 testing and plans to roll out the service to all of its 2,200-plus pharmacies.

Kroger Health, the company’s health care services arm, said Wednesday that the Food and Drug Administration-authorized rapid antibody tests are now available at Ralphs Grocery pharmacies in California and Kroger pharmacies Michigan. The tests are slated to be available at all Kroger Co. pharmacies and 220-plus Little Clinic locations in 35 states by the end of November.

With the deployment, Kroger said it’s the nation’s first retailer to offer the antibody testing solution to customers.

Rapid antibody testing helps inform patients if they previously have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Supplied by Sumner, Wash.-based medical devices company Whitmire Medical, the tests are conducted using a finger-prick blood sample, with results typically available within 15 minutes, Kroger Health said. People who think they may have been infected with COVID-19 and aren’t currently experiencing symptoms are eligible for the test, which costs $25.

Kroger Health noted that the rapid antibody testing builds on its clinic and at-home COVID-19 diagnostic testing services. The company said the antibody tests may provide critical information about past infection to patients who may have been exposed to coronavirus but weren’t able to get testing at the time of infection.

Related:Kroger brings COVID-19 testing to all Little Clinics

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The antibody testing builds on Kroger Health's drive-thru, clinic and at-home COVID-19 diagnostic services.

Citing research from the American Society for Microbiology, Kroger Health said 73% of surveyed testing labs faced a shortage of commercial testing kits for SARS-CoV-2 in September, which may have hindered test accessibility for many Americans.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Kroger Heath has remained committed to helping people live healthier lives by offering in-clinic and at-home COVID-19 testing solutions supported by our multi-disciplinary team of licensed, trained and experienced health care providers,” Kroger Health President Colleen Lindholz said in a statement. “Making rapid antibody testing available across our family of pharmacies will not only provide an affordable and convenient testing solution for individuals who want to understand if they have previously been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, but also help clinicians understand the long-term impacts of COVID-19 and potential public health strategies for fighting the disease.”

Kroger licensed health professionals perform the antibody tests using a fingerstick blood sample and the Assure COVID-19 IgG/IgM, a rapid test device — configured like a blood sugar test — designed to detect antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The test was first authorized by the FDA for emergency use in July and then cleared for wider point-of-care use in September, Kroger said. The company noted that research is ongoing to determine how long antibodies last following infection and if their presence provides protective immunity to the virus.

Related:Kroger unveils COVIDCare Plus coronavirus test program for employers

Cincinnati-based Kroger has steadily expanded its coronavirus testing and diagnostic services. In August, Kroger Health rolled out COVID-19 testing to all of its Little Clinic locations in nine states. Earlier that month, Kroger unveiled COVIDCare Plus, a coronavirus testing solution for employers that includes the Kroger Health’s FDA-authorized COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit — a self-administered nasal swab test — and access to clinical health services. COVIDCare Plus is now available in 29 states.

In early July, Kroger announced the availability of the COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit to all associates, and in May the company began offering frontline workers access to free coronavirus tests, either via self-administered test kits or drive-thru test sites.

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

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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