COVID-19 Tests Before Holidays Encouraged By MD Health Secretary

Elizabeth Janney
Updated ·3 min read

MARYLAND — Before Marylanders gather for the holidays, state health officials encourage them to get tested for the coronavirus, if they have been exposed to someone who tested positive for the coronavirus or if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

Symptoms of the respiratory disease include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat and new loss of taste of smell.

"As we move further into the holidays and winter season continues, getting vaccinated, boosted and tested are the most important precautions Marylanders can take to protect themselves against COVID-19 and the delta and omicron variants,” State Health Secretary Dennis Schrader said in a statement Wednesday.

"Marylanders getting a COVID-19 test before they visit their family and friends will give them the peace of mind that they can safely enjoy their gatherings," Schrader said.

While many Marylanders have had trouble accessing testing, state health officials say there are more than 310 COVID-19 testing locations statewide.

To find the nearest site, search by street address or ZIP code here: COVIDtest.Maryland.gov.

"Increasing community access to COVID-19 testing remains a priority and we are introducing new initiatives each week," Schrader said.

In Harford County, the health department ran out of at-home tests for COVID-19 less than half an hour after distribution began. In Baltimore City and Baltimore County, those picking up at-home tests at libraries have had similar experiences.

"Demand for testing is currently exceeding supply," Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa said at a news conference Wednesday morning. "We're working to expand capacity."

In particular, she emphasized the importance of getting tested if feeling ill before holiday gatherings, since she said it can be "impossible to tell the difference" if someone is sick with the flu, the common cold or COVID-19.

"We recommend getting tested to know for sure," Dzirasa said. "With holidays just around the corner and cases increasing, we must all remain vigilant to protect our loved ones who can't get vaccinated or who aren't yet fully vaccinated."

The Maryland Department of Health offers free testing at three sites:

  • Annapolis: 29 St. Johns Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 (rapid POC testing and PCR tests). It will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday for walk-ins and will be closed Friday for the Christmas holiday. It will resume at 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 27.

  • Baltimore: State Center Vaccination and Testing Site in Baltimore City, 300 W. Preston Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201 (PCR tests only). Operated by Baltimore City and the University of Maryland Medical System, this site is offering at-home rapid test kits.

  • Landover: The Prince George’s County Testing and Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Site at the City of Praise Family Ministries, 8500 Jericho City Drive, Landover, MD 20785 (PCR tests, with limited rapid testing available for monoclonal antibody treatment through MDH partner First Call)

Gov. Larry Hogan said Tuesday he is mobilizing the Maryland National Guard to help expand testing sites and hours by providing additional personnel to support operations. He also said he would provide an additional $30 million for schools to purchase testing resources.

The Maryland Department of Health expects to open six days a week at its Annapolis and Prince George’s County COVID-19 testing sites.

In 2022, the federal government will make at-home tests available by mail, President Joseph Biden announced Tuesday.

See Also:

This article originally appeared on the Baltimore Patch