Pharmacies are now selling at-home COVID-19 tests. Here’s where to find them in Hampton Roads.

Katherine Hafner, The Virginian-Pilot
·2 min read

We’ve been hearing about it for months: the ability to test yourself for COVID-19 in the comfort of your own home, with rapid results.

Now it’s a reality. This week, three major pharmacy chains began rolling out several different coronavirus home test kits.

People can use them by taking nasal swabs and checking results within 15 minutes.

But they’re not free, and they’re not everywhere. The Pilot took a look at where you can find the home tests in Hampton Roads.

CVS

CVS Pharmacy is now selling three over-the-counter COVID-19 tests:

  • The most widely available is the Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test, which delivers 15-minute results. One box is priced at $23.99 and contains two tests that should be taken twice over three days, with at least 36 hours in between. Customers can order the test online or find them at certain stores. As of mid-Thursday, most stores in Hampton Roads appeared to be out of stock except for 4261 E. Little Creek Road in Norfolk, 2232 General Booth Blvd. in Virginia Beach and 700 Merrimac Trail in Williamsburg. (You can check by typing in your zip code here.)

  • The Pixel by Labcorp Home Collection Kit uses the same technology as the standard COVID-19 test, called polymerase chain reaction. It is pricier at $119.99 and results take one or two days. In Virginia it is only available online.

  • The Ellume COVID-19 Home Test Kit was the first to receive emergency authorization by the Food and Drug Administration. At $38.99, it also delivers 15-minute results, and doesn’t require a second test. Right now it’s only in select stores in the Northeast, but CVS plans to increase availability to most nationwide locations and on the website by late May.

Walgreens

Walgreens is also selling the Abbott home test for $23.99. It’s available online for same-day delivery and for purchase in-store or curbside pickup.

Hampton Roads locations currently in stock, according to the chain’s website mid-Thursday, include 700 Frederick Blvd. in Portsmouth; 856 S. Military Highway in Virginia Beach; 600 J. Clyde Morris Blvd. in Newport News; and 2400 and 6608 George Washington Memorial Highway in Yorktown. (You can check by typing in your zip code here.)

Walmart

Walmart is selling the Abbott home test for $19.88 in stores.

Hampton Roads locations currently in stock, according to the chain’s website mid-Thursday, include 3350 E. Princess Anne Road in Norfolk and 4812 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Virginia Beach. (You can check by typing in your zip code here.)

Health officials caution that a negative test result is not a free pass for unrestricted activity. Everyone should keep wearing masks and social distancing in public.

Katherine Hafner, 757-222-5208, katherine.hafner@pilotonline.com