CINCINNATI — Kroger Health, the health care division of Kroger Co., is expanding its free COVID-19 testing capabilities. The retailer is adding testing sites in Colorado, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. They join existing sites in Kentucky and Tennessee, which serve all priority groups, including health care workers, first responders and people with symptoms. The company will also begin piloting site-specific testing for Kroger associates in Michigan and Colorado, while also empowering its own pharmacists to initiate the lab order and observe self-administered testing where allowable by law.

“At Kroger Health, we are proud to be part of the solution by enabling more Americans – including our own associates – to have access to testing while continuing to provide a safe environment within our stores. We welcome this opportunity to expand our efforts in our nation’s battle against COVID-19,” said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. “We know widespread testing is critical to containing the spread of COVID-19 and flattening the curve.”

For the testing, patients remain in their cars throughout the process, which is completed in just a few minutes. The test uses self-administered nasal swabs, which are less painful and designed to increase safety. Testing services are provided at no-cost to all priority groups through various partnerships, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, commonwealth of Kentucky, eTrueNorth and Gravity Diagnostics. Kroger Health testing sites are generally located off site at closed schools, businesses and public grounds in partnership with local communities.

Americans can access Kroger Health’s free screening tool to determine if testing is appropriate for them at krogerhealth.com/covidtesting. This screening tool was adapted from CDC recommendations and is intended to identify patients who need testing the most. Screened individuals can schedule and pre-register for a test at a convenient location.

“I’m so proud of our health care professionals for rising to the challenge and leading with humility, passion, and resolve,” continued Lindholz. “It’s been a collaborative effort from our multi-disciplinary team – supported by great partnerships with local, state and federal government officials – to open these testing sites and expand them around the country. We are all so grateful to do our part to help our communities.”

Kroger Health’s initial testing sites launched in early April, with two sites in both Kentucky and Tennessee. On April 12, Kroger Health and the commonwealth of Kentucky announced a partnership to expand testing centers across Kentucky that doubled testing across the state. To date, Kroger has tested more than 2,600 people in Kentucky.

Kroger Health is now expanding testing to Denver; Detroit; Bowling Green, Lexington, Louisville and Owensboro, Ky.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Dayton and Toledo, Ohio. Testing site dates, times, and locations can be viewed at krogerhealth.com/covidtesting.

In addition to the COVID-19 testing efforts, Kroger Health has launched several other initiatives to help customers navigate this crisis, including free telenutrition services and access to virtual care visits.