Westminster, MD (May 13, 2020) – The Carroll County Health Department and the Board of Commissioners announced the opening of the first state-sponsored, community-based COVID-19 testing site in Carroll County, at the Carroll County Agriculture Center in Westminster. The site will increase COVID-19 testing options available to area residents, complementing the LifeBridge Health testing site at Carroll Hospital. It will be the ninth state-sponsored, drive-through testing site in Maryland.

“We’re extremely grateful for the cooperation of the Carroll County Agriculture Center, a local non-profit that hosts many wonderful events,” said Commissioner President Stephen Wantz. “Our local partners continue to work together to protect our community by reducing the spread of COVID-19.”

The Ag Center testing site will be staffed by Carroll County Health Department employees and Maryland Responds volunteers. The Maryland Department of Health is providing resources and support, and the Maryland National Guard is assisting at the testing site. Carroll County Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management, and Department of Public Works were integral in setting up the site, and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office will support operations.

Tests will be offered on an appointment-only basis to Maryland residents who are symptomatic for COVID-19. Patients must have a health care provider order and an appointment to get tested at the Ag Center and other state-run sites.

In order to schedule a COVID-19 testing appointment at any state-run site, individuals should first call their health care provider. Health care providers will assist patients in ordering and scheduling a test using CRISP, the state’s health information exchange. Patients cannot order tests for themselves. Patients who do not have a health care provider can call the Health Department’s COVID-19 Call Center at 410-876-4848 for assistance; the center is open from 8 am – 5 pm daily.

“We’re happy to work with state and local partners to increase COVID-19 testing capacity,” said Carroll County Health Officer Ed Singer. “Testing is an important part of the Governor’s Roadmap to Recovery for safe reopening, along with contact tracing, which we are also increasing.”

In contact tracing, Health Department staff contact residents who test positive for COVID-19, as well as their close contacts who are at higher risk of becoming sick with the disease. They offer support and guidelines for preventing further spread of COVID-19.

For more information on COVID-19 testing, visit the Carroll County Health Department’s website at cchd.maryland.gov/covid-19/ and the Maryland State Department of Health at  coronavirus.maryland.gov. Click on the “Testing” tab for further instruction on scheduling a test at one of the sites being operated throughout the state.