Forest Hill Coronavirus Testing Site Opening This Week: Officials

FOREST HILL, MD — The coronavirus testing site near Bel Air will open Wednesday, according to the Maryland Department of Health. The University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health will operate it in partnership with the Harford County Health Department, officials said.

People cannot show up and get tested without an appointment, according to state health officials.

Instead, physicians have to schedule appointments through a hotline.

Those who do not have a primary care provider can be screened at a ChoiceOne Urgent Care Center in Aberdeen, Forest Hill or Fallston, according to Upper Chesapeake.

"We are proud to partner with Harford County's Health Department and our area's physician practices in order to support COVID-19 testing in our community," Upper Chesapeake Health CEO Lyle Sheldon said in a statement. "It is very important that we have a way to efficiently and safely begin the testing process for those who qualify and help prevent the spread of COVID-19."

Administrative personnel from Upper Chesapeake will ensure the appointment process is being adhered to and will oversee lab orders, according to state health officials. Patients will bring a lab order from their physician or urgent care provider.

Those getting tested should stay in their vehicles with windows rolled up until the test is about to be administered. At that point, health officials say a clinician will put a long Q-tip in the back of the person's nostril for several seconds, which at the most could cause minor discomfort.

It will take three to seven days to get results, and during that time people who got tested should self-isolate at home, according to authorities. Those who test positive should self-isolate for at least one week from the time their symptoms began or until three days have passed since their last fever, whichever is longer, according to state health officials.

"As much as possible, you stay away from others," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises those who are ill. "You should stay in a specific 'sick room' if possible, and away from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if available."

If symptoms worsen, Upper Chesapeake advises calling the Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Emergency Department at 443-643-2000 or Harford Memorial Hospital Emergency Department at 443-843-5500.

The testing center will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) site at 1631 Robin Circle in Forest Hill.

Related:

• MVA Emissions Centers To Be Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing Sites

The Maryland Department of Health has a list of frequently asked questions about the VEIP testing sites.