Washington County health department to distribute at-home COVID tests

Staff Report
·3 min read

The Washington County Health Department is getting about 700 at-home COVID-19 test kits from 500,000 being distributed by the Maryland Department of Health.

The Abbott BinaxNOW Ag At-Home COVID-19 test kits are being made available for free to make testing more available to the public ahead of the holidays and pending winter, according to a news release from Gov. Larry Hogan's office.

"By making these at-home test kits available through local health departments, we are giving Marylanders more options and more peace of mind as we head into the holiday season," Hogan said in the news release. "Of course, the single most important thing you can do, if you haven’t already, is get vaccinated or get your booster shot."

The Maryland Department of Health is making available 500,000 Abbott BinaxNOW Ag At-Home COVID-19 test kits to health departments across the state. Washington County is getting about 700, which are being sent to local organizations that work with undeserved communities, county health department spokeswoman Danielle Stahl said.
The Maryland Department of Health is making available 500,000 Abbott BinaxNOW Ag At-Home COVID-19 test kits to health departments across the state. Washington County is getting about 700, which are being sent to local organizations that work with undeserved communities, county health department spokeswoman Danielle Stahl said.

In Washington County, the health department has a plan for giving out the tests, said spokeswoman Danielle Stahl.

"We have distributed a couple of hundred kits directly to local organizations who engage with undeserved communities to reach those with limited access to resources," Stahl wrote in an email. "We are currently looking into locations and partnering with organizations across the county to distribute these kits. We will announce these locations on our website and social media in the coming weeks."

So far, the county health department has distributed kits to Reach of Washington County, Salvation Army of Hagerstown and the Hope Center at Hagerstown Rescue Mission, Stahl said.

Each kit contains two COVID-19 tests that are approved to be used by one person, and the tests are to be used at least 36 hours apart and within three days of each other, according to the release. The tests are self-administered, and results are available in 15 minutes.

“Getting vaccinated and tested remain the two most important actions that Marylanders can take to keep themselves and their loved ones protected against COVID-19,” state Health Secretary Dennis R. Schrader said in the release. “We are committed to accessible, free COVID-19 testing across the state, and these at-home tests kits will augment other state-supported testing initiatives.”

Where can I get the vaccine?

The county health department offers vaccination clinics across the county throughout the week.

All three COVID-19 vaccines, as well as third doses and boosters, are available at all of the health department's vaccine clinics, according to a separate news release from the department. To check eligibility for vaccines and doses visit washcohealth.org. Walk-ins are welcome or, to make a vaccine appointment, call 240-313-3456 or visit the website.

Here are the upcoming clinics:

  • Monday, Nov 29: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 601 Washington Ave. in Hagerstown's West End.

  • Tuesday, Nov. 30: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Boonsboro American Legion, 710 N. Main St., Boonsboro

  • Wednesday, Dec. 1: 1 to 7 p.m. at the Washington County Health Department, 1302 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown

The health department is only only offering the Pfizer vaccine for those 12 to 15 years old. There will be special clinics for those aged 5 to 11 at the health department office in Hagerstown from 1 to 7 p.m. every third Wednesday starting Dec. 15.

Washington County Public Schools and Meritus Health are working with the health department to set up vaccine clinics for this age group at WCPS locations.

The health department also is offering drive-thru and walk-up COVID-19 testing:

  • Monday, Nov. 29: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hagerstown Housing Authority, 36 W. Lee St.

    Wednesday, Dec. 1: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at at Hagerstown Housing Authority, 36 W. Lee St.

Meritus Health also is offering a vaccination clinic daily at the Robinwood Professional Center Atrium, 11110 Medical Campus Road east of Hagerstown. First and second doses are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Booster shots are available the same days from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information is available on the health system website at www.meritushealth.com.

Herald-Mail reporter Julie Greene and news director Joseph Deinlein contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Maryland health department gives Washington County at-home COVID tests