Anne Arundel Medical Center To Open Free COVID-19 Testing Site

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Anne Arundel Medical Center will open a free COVID-19 testing site on Friday, Dec. 31. It will operate on New Year's Eve and stay open seven days a week, according to the Maryland Department of Health, which has partnered with Luminis Health in the endeavor.

It is one of two free COVID-19 testing sites the Maryland Department of Health announced Thursday it was opening to address the rising demand for coronavirus tests, which are in short supply just as the state reaches record levels of new cases and hospitalized coronavirus patients for the second consecutive day.

The testing site in Annapolis and another in Bel Air will offer walk-up testing free of charge.

Both testing sites will offer PCR lab tests only, meaning results will take 24 to 48 hours to obtain.

"This morning, I held another call of our multi-agency COVID-19 task force, as we continue to take actions to address this surge," Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement Thursday. "While the federal government has fallen short in expanding testing, we are doing all we can at the state level to further scale up these operations. In addition to getting tested, we urge Marylanders to get boosted now for the strongest possible protection against the highly transmissible Omicron variant."

The Annapolis and Bel Air testing sites will open Friday, Dec. 31. Both will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at these locations:

• Anne Arundel Medical Center's South Pavilion, 2001 Medical Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21401.
• Upper Chesapeake Health, 500 Upper Chesapeake Drive, Bel Air, MD 21014.

The Maryland National Guard and Vaccine Equity Task Force will help with staffing and logistics at both sites, officials said.

"These new sites further expand access for Marylanders to get tested, which will give them the information that they need to keep themselves and those around them safe," Maryland Health Secretary Dennis Schrader said in a statement.

"Next to getting vaccinated and a booster shot, getting tested is another important tool we have to stay protected from COVID-19 and Omicron and other variants," Schrader said.

To find a testing site, visit COVIDtest.maryland.gov.