Walgreens identifies the spread of current and emerging variants of COVID-19 in near real time.
Pharma giant leverages test data from Aegis Sciences Corp. in its new Walgreens COVID-19 Index. Data captured in the Walgreens COVID-19 Index can track the spread of the Omicron variant within 24 to 48 hours. In addition to a national view, the data can be examined by state. The Walgreens COVID-19 Index is based on proprietary data from PCR testing services administered by Walgreens and performed by its testing partner Aegis Sciences.
First Walgreens COVID-19 Index Results
Based on data analyzed as of January 18, 2021, COVID-19 information available in the Walgreens COVID-19 Index includes:
- Nationally, more than 95% of all positive cases are presumed to be the Omicron variant.
- The top states for COVID-19 positive rates are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Dakota, Nevada and Texas, all of which have COVID-19 positivity rates above 45 % of people tested.
- The leading states for the prevalence of confirmed cases in the Delta are Maine (43.5%), Kansas (36.5%), Iowa (29.2%), New Mexico (25.2% ), Oklahoma (24.2%), Indiana (23.6%) and Utah (23.5%). ).
According to Walgreens, the index data will be updated frequently and provide a rolling snapshot of data for the previous seven days based on analysis of positive tests at more than 5,000 Walgreens testing sites. To view the Walgreens COVID-19 Index, maps, and other online features, click here.
Walgreens provided 13.5 million COVID-19 vaccines in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and 34.6 million for the full fiscal year. The company also plans to launch Walgreens Health, a new business segment it describes as a “technology-enabled care model powered by a nationwide, locally delivered healthcare platform,” and has partnered with Uber to provide free rides to Walgreens stores and offsite vaccination clinics for members of underserved communities to receive COVID-19 vaccines since February 2021.
“Through Walgreens’ partnership with Aegis Sciences, we have the ability to provide this interactive tracking tool and inform the development of strategies and resources to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Kevin Ban , chief medical officer of Walgreens. “This provides a leading, consumer-centric healthcare solution to support our communities and partners, building on our nationwide footprint and healthcare offerings.”
“Data regarding the spread of variants is important to our understanding of viral transmission, and as new variants emerge, it will be critical to continue to track this information quickly to predict which communities are most at risk,” said Dr. Matthew Hardison, Senior Vice President. laboratory operations at Aegis Sciences Corporation. “We are excited to partner with Walgreens to provide testing, collaborate on data analysis, and provide timely information that can help health services contain the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Walgreens and Aegis Sciences Corporation have collaborated to offer COVID-19 PCR testing at more than 5,000 Walgreens locations. Data regarding vaccination status is derived from information provided in the test registration process by individuals who have taken the test at Walgreens locations. The amount of data available varies by geographic location. All data presented in the Walgreens COVID-19 Index is aggregated and anonymized to protect the privacy of individuals.
Based in Deerfield, Illinois, Walgreens operates nearly 9,000 outlets across America, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
