CVS opens drive-through COVID-19 testing sites in Atlanta, R.I.

April 6 (UPI) -- Pharmacy chain CVS Health has opened drive-through coronavirus testing sites in Georgia and Rhode Island, the company announced Monday.

The sites -- one at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and another at Twin River Casino near Providence, R.I. -- will be staffed by licensed health care providers from CVS' MinuteClinic subsidiary, the company said.

The sites will perform the Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 test, which last month received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. The test can achieve positive results as quickly as 5 minutes and negative results in as few as 13 minutes.

CVS said the tests are free and available to those who meet criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People must make a reservation for the drive-through test through the CVS website.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp called the Atlanta testing site "a unique, public-private partnership" that would "strengthen our testing capability," while Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo called the Providence location "a giant leap forward in our efforts to combat this virus."

CVS said both sites will utilize safety and efficiency lessons learned from the chain's first drive-through testing location, which opened March 19 in Shrewsbury, Mass.