Free Masks Offered At Select Testing Sites In Maryland

MARYLAND — The Maryland Department of Health is providing free masks to people at select coronavirus testing sites this summer, starting Wednesday. It is the latest push through the state's "Masks On Maryland" campaign, an initiative to encourage the use of face coverings.

“Marylanders need to wear face coverings and practice social distancing while in public to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Maryland Department of Health Secretary Robert R. Neall said in a statement Tuesday. “Community cooperation with mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing is still our best defense against the spread of COVID-19 at this time.”

For the mask giveaway, the state health department is partnering with the Baltimore City Health Department and Baltimore City NAACP. The giveaway will include a package of five reusable masks and information about how to use masks.

For the latest developments on the coronavirus in Maryland, get Patch news alerts.

State health officials say the free masks will be available at the Baltimore Convention Center on Wednesday, July 29, starting at 8 a.m.

The next mask giveaway event will take place at the Pimlico testing site the week of Aug. 3, with details announced next week.

Find more information about getting tested here: covidtest.maryland.gov.

Coronavirus in Maryland: A Snapshot

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus numbers as of Tuesday, July 28:

Maryland Hospitalizations, Deaths

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Jurisdiction

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age And Gender

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Race And Ethnicity

Symptoms Of Coronavirus

Contracting the coronavirus can result in mild to severe illness. Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart or lung disease, are the most at risk of complications from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These symptoms of coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Those who have trouble breathing, feel persistent pain or pressure in the chest, experience new confusion, have the inability to wake or stay awake or have bluish lips or face should get medical attention immediately, federal health officials say.
To prevent getting the illness, authorities advise staying away from those who are sick, keeping 6 feet of distance between yourself and others, washing hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and wearing a cloth face covering when around others.

See Also:

• State Launches Mask-Wearing Campaign On Social Media
• 'Red Zone' Now Includes 21 States: U.S. Coronavirus News
• Mercy Medical Center Chief Of Critical Care Dies Of Coronavirus
• MD Adds More Coronavirus Cases; Hospitalizations Decrease