CINCINNATI — Kroger Health, the healthcare division of Kroger Co., is making COVID-19 testing available at more than 220 clinic locations, the company said Thursday. Testing will be available by appointment for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Kroger Health has expanded its COVID-19 testing offerings at more than 220 clinic locations.

The expansion comes on the heels of the launch of the company’s employer-focused COVIDCare Plus testing program, and just in time for the start of the upcoming flu season, during which many health officials expect an increased need for COVID-19 testing.

“COVID-19 and the flu share many of the same symptoms, which could cause added confusion and concern for Americans of all ages,” Kroger Health chief medical officer Dr. Marc Watkins said. “Kroger Health is ramping up our comprehensive testing efforts to provide our communities with the resources they need to stay healthy and flatten the curve.”

The clinic testing will use the same self-administered collection process currently used at Kroger Health’s community testing locations. Kroger Health’s in-store clinics have the capability to test up to 5,000 patients per day, the company said.

Patients can access Kroger Health’s free screening tool to determine if testing is appropriate for them and schedule an appointment at krogerhealth.com/clinictesting. Once a patient schedules an appointment, a licensed practitioner will contact them via telehealth or by phone. Clinic locations will offer designated parking for patients and most COVID-19 sample collections can be self-administered under the observation of a Kroger Health professional while patients remain in their vehicles. The company has also instituted additional measures at Kroger Health clinics to safeguard the health and wellbeing of associates, patients and customers, including enhanced air filtration systems.

Since April, Kroger Health has facilitated more than 150,000 COVID-19 tests across 19 states at drive-thru and walk-up testing locations. As the nation prepares to enter flu season, testing will become even more critical to help diagnose COVID-19 amidst potentially similar symptoms.