Governor Governor Hogan Announces Free COVID-19 Testing at Ripken Stadium, Ocean City Convention Center, Elkton VEIP

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One-Time, High-Volume, Drive-Thru Event to Be Held August 4 at Ripken Stadium
Weekend Drive-Thru Clinic To Open at Ocean City Convention Center
Elkton VEIP Site to Expand Testing in Cecil County
State Has Conducted Nearly 1.2 Million Tests, Positivity Rate Falls to 4.57%



ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced three additional COVID-19 testing sites, including a high-volume testing event at Ripken Stadium, a drive-thru clinic at the Ocean City Convention Center, and a new drive-thru VEIP site in Cecil County. The State of Maryland has now conducted nearly 1.2 million tests and is reporting a seven-day positivity rate of 4.57%.

“Our aggressive statewide testing strategy—which we have expanded exponentially in recent months—is helping us to understand, identify, and stop the spread of this virus,” said Governor Hogan. “The State of Maryland continues to make unlimited quantities of tests available to any jurisdiction that needs them to help address any shortages and delays.”

Ripken Stadium Testing Event on Tuesday, August 4. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Harford County, University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health (UM UCH), the Aberdeen IronBirds, and the Aberdeen Police Department will host a one-time, high-volume, drive-thru testing event at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium for individuals age 12 and older. As many as 1,000 Marylanders are expected to be tested at this event.

“We are excited to be a part of something that will make it easy for members of our community to get COVID-19 tests,” said Bill Ripken. “Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium is an ideal venue for a testing event, and we are honored to host.”

Any Marylander who would like to be tested is asked to schedule an appointment for the event at Ripken Stadium by visiting covidtest.maryland.gov.

Ocean City Convention Center Testing Clinic Starts This Weekend. This weekend, the state will host a drive-thru testing clinic at the Ocean City Convention Center in partnership with the Worcester County Health Department. The drive-thru clinic will be located in the parking lot at the corner of Convention Center Drive and Coastal Highway, and individuals will enter via Convention Center Drive. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 410-632-1100 and pressing 8. Additional testing clinics at the Ocean City Convention Center are planned for select weekends throughout August and September.

State officials continue to encourage Marylanders who have recently traveled out-of-state to be tested for COVID-19, and testing opportunities have been expanded in Ocean City to address summer activity. Testing is also available at the West Ocean City Park and Ride and the Worcester County Health Department building in Pocomoke, operated in partnership with Atlantic General Hospital.

VEIP Testing Site in Cecil County Begins Tuesday. 22 of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions have now met the goal of testing 10% of their populations—only Calvert and Cecil remain behind. To help expand testing in Cecil County, MDH will begin operating a drive-thru testing site at the Elkton Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program station.

Testing will be held at the Elkton VEIP station by appointment every Tuesday in August, as well as Saturday, August 15 and Saturday, August 29. To schedule an appointment, Marylanders can use the Cecil County Health Department’s online portal or call 410-996-1005.

No Cost, No Doctor’s Order Required. Anyone tested for COVID-19 at the Ripken Stadium, Elkton VEIP, or Ocean City Convention Center sites is not required to have a doctor’s order or show symptoms of COVID-19, and there is no out-of-pocket cost. Photo identification is required to get a test at all sites.

220+ Testing Sites; Use State-Operated Testing Sites For Faster Turnaround Time. State officials strongly advise Marylanders concerned about delays in testing turnaround time to use state-operated testing sites, where the turnaround time is generally as low as 24-48 hours. For more information about testing sites in Maryland, visit covidtest.maryland.gov.

Nearly 1.2 Million Tests, Positivity Rate Below 5% For 35 Days. Maryland has now tested nearly 1.2 million residents as testing continues at an average of more than 20,000 tests per day. The statewide positivity rate—a key indicator of the state’s success in fighting the pandemic—is currently 4.57%. For several weeks, it has remained well below the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) and World Health Organization’s (WHO) five percent recommended level for safe reopening, and 21 out of 24 jurisdictions also report positivity rates below this target.
 
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