WOONSOCKET, R.I. — In coordination with Governor John Bel Edward’s administration, Mayor LaToya Cantrell and state health officials, CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today established a temporary CVS Pharmacy to support the medical monitoring facility inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The move is part of a larger state plan to use the convention center as a 1,000 bed coronavirus facility designed to ease the strain on New Orleans area hospitals preparing to treat an anticipated surge in COVID-19 patients.
The ‘pop up’ CVS Pharmacy, which will operate from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily from an off-site location near the convention center, includes a rotating group of 26 full-and part-time CVS Health pharmacists and pharmacist technicians. They will assist with providing maintenance medication and offering counseling where needed for COVID-19 patients who do not require a ventilator or ICU and have been transferred from New Orleans area hospitals to the convention center, in an effort to increase hospital capacity for more severe COVID-19 cases.
The temporary pharmacy is not open to the general public, and is in place to deliver dedicated support to the state’s medical monitoring facility.
“We’ve demonstrated an ongoing commitment to supporting the citizens of New Orleans, especially in times of need,” said Jeffrey Schmidt, Senior Vice President, CVS Health. “Pharmacies are a critical resource for communities managing through the COVID-19 pandemic, and we’ll continue to be here for customers and patients in New Orleans and throughout the country.”
As a leading national health care company with a local presence, CVS Health has continued to support the New Orleans community in times of urgent need. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, for example, the company’s employees were on the front lines of aiding in the relief and recovery efforts. Most recently, the company delivered $25,000 grants to both Second Harvest Food Bank and the Greater New Orleans Foundation. These grants are in addition to a $250,000 contribution to Feeding America, which is responding to the pandemic by distributing emergency food boxes to its network of 200 food banks in New Orleans and across the country to support vulnerable populations.
More information on steps CVS Health has already taken to address the COVID-19 pandemic — including waiving charges for home delivery of prescription medications and making diagnostic testing and Aetna-covered telemedicine visits available with no co-pay — is available at the company’s frequently updated COVID-19 resource center.
About CVS Health
CVS Health employees are united around a common goal of becoming the most consumer-centric health company in the world. We’re evolving based on changing consumer needs and meeting people where they are, whether that’s in the community at one of our nearly 10,000 local touchpoints, in the home, or in the palm of their hand. Our newest offerings – from HealthHUB® locations that are redefining what a pharmacy can be, to innovative programs that help manage chronic conditions – are designed to create a higher-quality, simpler and more affordable experience. Learn more about how we’re transforming health at http://www.cvshealth.com.
Media contact
Joe Goode
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401-378-5220 (Mobile)
Joseph.Goode@CVSHealth.com