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Health Department Changes COVID-19 Testing Site Registration Process

Westminster, MD (December 22, 2020) – The COVID-19 testing site run by the Carroll County Health Department at the Ag Center in Westminster will be implementing some changes to the registration process, due to a large increase in demand.

“Even though we increased our capacity to 250 tests per day, we still can’t schedule everyone with an urgent need to be tested,” said Dr. Henry Taylor, Deputy Health Officer and Medical Director for the Health Department. “With the dramatic increase in cases, we need to give priority to people who were exposed, or who are having symptoms that may be due to COVID-19.”  Health Department clinicians will continue to write orders for these individuals when requested on the Health Department’s COVID-19 testing webpage: https://cchd.maryland.gov/covidtesting/

People who need to be tested for other reasons, such as to return to work or for travel, may still use the Health Department’s testing site, but must work with their own provider to register. They should ask their provider directly to order their COVID-19 PCR test in the CRISP information system. They will then receive an email or text message with a “confirmation code” that allows them to choose an appointment at the Carroll County Ag Center or other sites in the state system. Some providers may now offer the COVID-19 test in their offices as well.

Individuals may also find other options for testing in Carroll County and surrounding areas by visiting the Maryland testing page at covidtest.maryland.gov. Many urgent care centers, clinics, and pharmacies are offering COVID-19 testing. People should be sure facility they choose offers the type of test they need and check for possible charges for provider appointments.

This registration process change will be implemented starting on Sunday, December 27^th. 

Though testing is an important part of controlling the spread of COVID-19, it represents a person’s COVID-19 status at just one point in time. It can take 2-14 days for an infection to develop after exposure to the virus. People can test negative if the sample is collected early in their infection when the virus is still increasing in their body. This is why a negative test does not mean a person who was exposed to COVID-19 can end quarantine early.

The testing center is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, from 9 am – 12 noon, but will be closed on Thursday, December 24^th due to another event at the site. For more information on the testing center and COVID-19 testing, visit https://cchd.maryland.gov/covidtesting/

For questions or issues accessing testing, call the Health Department’s COVID-19 Call Center at 410-876-4848, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Health Department will be closed December 24^th and 25^th.

More information on COVID-19 in Carroll County can be found on the Health Department’s page: https://cchd.maryland.gov/covid-19/

The Health Department is working closely with many community partners to ask all county residents to help move #CarrollForward together; learn more at https://www.carrollcountymd.gov/residents/carroll-forward/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Maggie Kunz,

Health Planner,

maggie.kunz@maryland.gov,

443-721-3099

The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to the Carroll County Government and its programs, services, activities, and facilities. Anyone requiring an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or who has a complaint should contact The Department of Citizen Services, 410.386.3600 or 1.888.302.8978 or MD Relay 7-1-1/1.800.735.2258 or email ada@carrollcountymd.gov as soon as possible but no later than 72 hours before the scheduled event.