NEW YORK — As testing becomes more important in the battle against COVID-19, retailers are stepping up.

For instance, CVS Health has opened more than 50 COVID-19 test sites at selected CVS Pharmacy drive-through locations across Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, with additional sites to come.

The new sites will utilize self-swab tests and mark the next phase of the company’s COVID-19 testing strategy, announced April 27 at the White House.

Walgreens is in the process of opening COVID-19 testing locations in 49 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, as the company further expands drive-through testing to help meet the growing need in communities nationwide. With this latest expansion, Walgreens will focus its efforts on improving access to testing in underserved communities, and over time it will also be working with companies to provide testing to employees, helping more businesses reopen in the weeks and months ahead.

Rite Aid Corp. has announced that it too will significantly expand its COVID-19 testing efforts with the addition of 46 no-charge testing sites, most of which will operate through its stores’ drive-through windows.

Rite Aid is also expanding COVID-19 testing criteria at all testing sites to include adults who are not exhibiting any symptoms of the virus, effective immediately, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.

Meanwhile, Kroger Co. is providing free COVID-19 testing to its frontline workers, based on symptoms and medical need.

“At Kroger, the safety and health of our associates and customers remains our top priority during this unprecedented time,” said senior vice president and chief people officer Tim Massa. “Our associates have worked tirelessly to provide communities continued access to fresh, affordable food. We are dedicated to providing support and gratitude to our associates across the country.”

The Kroger tests will be delivered via a combination of self-administered kits and the company’s public drive-through testing sites. The expansion of testing builds on the COVID-19 testing the team has already been supporting in areas with high incident rates.

And retail giant Walmart means to play a “vital role by helping our neighbors in a time of crisis” and is committed to supporting government efforts to expand COVID-19 drive-through testing (see related photos on page 7).

“On Thursday, March 12, we received a call from the White House asking Walmart to work with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other partners to stand up testing sites on our parking lots around the country,” states Dan Bartlett, executive vice president of corporate affairs. “Since the start of the pandemic, one thing has been clear: Testing would be critical. So, when we got the call to help, the question wasn’t if — but how. We knew we could make a difference.”

The company says it is expanding testing in areas of need and is on track to exceed its goal of opening 100 sites by the end of the month.