Walgreens Delays Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing in Lubbock

Update: The City of Lubbock said Tuesday (July 14th) that the Walgreens COVID-19 testing site won't open on July 17th as previously announced. Instead, it is now "tentatively" set to open on Saturday, August 1st. The delay was attributed to "challenges receiving testing supplies, etc." by the City.

We've reached out to the City for more information on what "etc." means.

Original story: If you're worried that you may have COVID-19, there's a new resource coming for you in Lubbock.

Beginning next Friday, July 17th, Walgreens will have free drive-thru testing. The testing will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week at the 602 Avenue Q location.

Now if you somehow like to be tested (hey, there are weirder things out there), you still have to meet the Centers for Disease Control criteria. This is not a first-come, first-served situation. You need to fill out the online screening survey, then roll up at your appointment time. This is actually an excellent touch to the process and will no doubt keep us from having a traffic jam on Avenue Q.

This test is indeed the nasal swab test, which is the most effective test because they have to check your entire nasal passage for a really good specimen. (We've seen memes wondering why coronavirus tests go deeper than DNA swabs.)

In the meantime, please wear some type of face covering if you must venture out, and please keep your social distancing at 10 feet. We need to stand together as Texans and whip this thing.

If you're feeling out of sorts, it's important that you get tested. We can't thank Walgreens enough for stepping up to the plate and assisting Lubbock with testing.

Remember: You must do the online screening first and set an appointment.