* This is a living document that will be updated on a regular basis until it is no longer needed. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the CVS Health newsroom page.
What is CVS Health doing to prepare for a potential increase of COVID‐19 in the U.S.?
Through the work of the CVS Health Emergency Response & Resiliency Team and Infectious Disease Response Team, we continue to actively monitor the current international and domestic environment for coronavirus‐related risks and prepare accordingly. Specifically, these teams are:
Collaborating with partners across the Enterprise to help bolster business unit preparation and continuity, with a focus on meeting the needs of the consumers and other customers we serve.
Developing travel, work‐from‐home and other HR-related guidance to help employees stay safe and healthy.
Working with external public health organizations and other stakeholders, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to boost awareness of CVS Health’s emergency preparedness efforts and capabilities.
Implementing a standard policy of liberalizations and modifications with a focus on member access to care.
Can you describe the process during a Video Visit* if COVID‐19 is suspected?
If a patient requests a Video Visit and is concerned about COVID‐19, or if a Video Visit patient presents with symptoms of a lower respiratory tract illness (e.g., fever, cough and/or shortness of breath), we follow CDC‐recommended screening protocol to ask about their recent travel history (e.g., timeframe and location), potential community exposure and other relevant risk factors to determine their risk of exposure to COVID‐19.
If it is determined the patient may be at risk for COVID‐19, the Video Visit provider will connect with the local health department to determine the appropriate next steps and will connect the patient with the health department if testing for the virus is recommended.
What is MinuteClinic® doing to prepare for patients who may have COVID‐19 symptoms?
CVS Health and MinuteClinic are collaborating closely with local health departments related to COVID‐19. When we see a patient who is presenting with symptoms of a lower respiratory tract illness (e.g., coughing or shortness of breath), we ask about their recent travel history (e.g., timeframe and location) and evaluate relevant risk factors to determine their risk of exposure to COVID‐19. Based on this assessment, the provider will consult with the Department of Health (DOH) to determine if quarantine (for low-risk patients) or testing (for high‐risk patients) is required, and will direct the patient as recommended by the DOH. We will also work with the DOH to assess exposure risk to others in the clinic area.
At this time, there is not a point‐of‐care test available for COVID‐19 in ambulatory care settings such as MinuteClinic.
MinuteClinic also offers patients the opportunity to request a Video Visit* in 40 states and Washington, D.C. Virtual care options such as Video Visits can be an effective way to evaluate and treat viruses from the comfort of one’s home, while minimizing exposure to other potentially contagious viruses. Please note that, at this time, Video Visits are not covered by insurance.
MinuteClinic providers continue to be available to support the routine health needs of our patients at all of our locations. Our providers can still evaluate, diagnose and treat common injuries, illnesses and skin conditions; provide vaccines and help manage chronic conditions.
What is CVS Health doing to address potential drug shortages related to the current COVID‐19 outbreak?
We are closely monitoring the global manufacturing environment. We do not see any disruptions to the supply chain that will affect our ability to fill prescriptions for plan members, now and into the near future. We always encourage members to refill maintenance medications in a timely manner.
In addition to CVS Health’s monitoring, the Food and Drug Administration is closely monitoring medications that are made in China or rely solely on active pharmaceutical ingredients from China. The agency also said it has reminded more than 180 manufacturers to notify the FDA of any potential supply chain disruptions.
Given the evolving nature of the COVID‐19 outbreak, we will continue to monitor the situation and work with our suppliers to address issues as they arise. We will alert clients to potential disruptions and share our contingency plans to address them.
What else is CVS Health doing to support CVS Pharmacy customers?
Beginning immediately, CVS Pharmacy will waive charges for home delivery of prescription medications. With the CDC encouraging people at higher risk for COVID-19 complications to stay at home as much as possible, this is a convenient option to avoid coming to the pharmacy for refills or new prescriptions.
What is CVS doing to ensure its locations enact cleaning best practices to minimize exposure risk?
In order to ensure our locations are safe and sanitized to minimize exposure risk, CVS Health is following CDC general cleaning guidance, which includes frequently cleaning all commonly touched surfaces, using disposable wipes to disinfect these surfaces, and using Personal Protective Equipment while cleaning. This applies to all locations, including our stores. In the event of a confirmed COVID‐19 exposure situation, the recommended cleaning is performed.
What cleaning practices does CVS undertake when there is a confirmed case or an exposure situation?
If there is a confirmed case or an exposure situation, a deep cleaning may be needed, which consists of wiping down all horizontal and high‐contact touch points using Shockwave disinfectant cleaner and SteraMist spray.
Deep cleaning is coordinated by CVS Health using approved external vendors.
What if there’s a confirmed or presumptive case in a MinuteClinic location?
If a customer, patient or colleague has a confirmed or presumptive case of COVID‐19, deep cleaning of the clinical environment is performed.
A presumptive case means a person presents with fever and flu‐like symptoms; has undergone a screening from a MinuteClinic provider and has been identified by the local health department to warrant a referral for additional screening as a Person Under Investigation (PUI).
Where can you obtain more information?
You can find more information on COVID-19 at these links:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html
March 7
CVS Pharmacy statement on COVID‐19 exposure at Queensbury, NY store.
CVS Pharmacy was notified on March 7 that the New York State Health Department confirmed that a pharmacist who works at our store at 5 Main Street in Queensbury, NY has tested positive for COVID‐19. The pharmacist is not currently symptomatic.
We are in close contact and coordinating with the Warren County Health Department and are following their infectious disease response protocols. The Health Department has informed us that pharmacy patients are considered being at low risk and the prescriptions dispensed from this store do not represent a risk to our customers.
As a matter of precaution, we are assisting the state and county health departments in contacting patients who received prescription medication on the days our pharmacist worked at this location (March 2 and March 4) so that they can monitor their health and, if they choose, return and replace medications that were dispensed on those days.
The health and well‐being of our employees and customers is our top priority. Our pharmacist and the co‐workers who were exposed have been placed under quarantine consistent with CDC guidelines and will be on paid leave. The store was closed for cleaning in order to disinfect and sterilize the premises following our established protocols and CDC guidelines.
The store reopened on Sunday, March 8. All other CVS locations in the area are open during their normal hours. CVS Pharmacy also offers prescription home delivery as an option for patients.