WEST DES MOINES, Iowa  —  Hy-Vee, Inc. said Wednesday that it will offer rapid antigen COVID-19 testing at 47 Hy-Vee pharmacy locations via an outdoor, drive-thru testing process. The first 18 locations will begin testing on Thursday, with the additional 28 locations scheduled to begin testing over the next two weeks. Patients will receive same-day test results in as little as 1-2 hours after completing the test.

Cost for the test varies by location. At this time, Hy-Vee is only accepting testing payment by credit or debit card at the testing site. Patients must register ahead of time through www.hy-vee.com/covidtesting to schedule a testing time and location and to receive a test voucher number to bring to their appointment. During registration, patients will be able to view the testing cost for their location.

Earlier this month, the CDC issued clarifying guidance for rapid antigen testing. Based on the latest guidance, only people who are symptomatic, or those who have had a known or reported exposure in the last 14 days, are eligible for testing.

The rapid antigen testing is in addition to Hy-Vee’s current free COVID-19 lab testing (molecular PCR) that it offers outside more than 180 pharmacy locations in coordination with eTrueNorth. Results for the lab testing associated with this test are usually available in 3-5 business days.