Pharmacists Begin Coronavirus Testing, MD Death Toll Up

MARYLAND — Coronavirus testing continues to become more accessible in the wake of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's loosened restrictions, and the state health department reports a steady increase in positive coronavirus cases. From Monday into Tuesday, health officials logged an increase of 1,784 new cases for a total of 41,546 cases. More than 5,300 tests yielded negative results in that same 24-hour period for a total of 167, 112 cases.

On Tuesday, state health officials reported 60 new deaths, up from the 24 reported on Monday.

Hogan issued an emergency order Tuesday authorizing the state’s hundreds of licensed pharmacists to directly order and administer tests for the coronavirus now that the state has reached a "critical milestone in its long-term COVID-19 testing strategy," surpassing 200,000 tests and completing testing of 3.5 percent of the state’s population.

Now that the state has enough tests and the capacity to administer those tests, Hogan noted, his executive order authorizes pharmacies to collect specimens for COVID-19 tests onsite as long as the collection process is carried out safely by qualified personnel who follow all Centers for Disease Control guidance. Pharmacists must adhere to all test result reporting requirements, the governor said.

This order coincides with new federal guidelines expanding options to pay for pharmacists to offer COVID-19 tests for Medicare beneficiaries.

“This will help doctors diagnose and treat new cases more quickly, and it will further increase the safety of our state for all citizens. In addition, we are authorizing and actively encouraging the state’s hundreds of pharmacies to directly order and administer COVID-19 tests, another way we can make testing more widely available in our communities," Hogan said in a news release.

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Hogan also directed the Maryland Department of Health to allow appointment-free testing at some VEIP stations across the state starting Thursday. Drive-thru, appointment-free testing will be available Thursday at the Timonium Fairgrounds in Baltimore County and on Friday at the Glen Burnie VEIP site in Anne Arundel County and the Hyattsville VEIP station in Prince George’s County. Testing will become available at the Clinton VEIP site next week.

People who suspect that they may have been exposed to COVID-19, even if they are not yet symptomatic, can access a test at one of these sites without a prior doctor’s order or a scheduled appointment. Testing will be provided at no out-of-pocket cost.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Symptoms of the new coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which lists the following as possible indicators of the illness: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.

The CDC has an online self-checker tool for those concerned they may have the virus.
Health officials say most people with the virus will experience mild symptoms and can recover at home. Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, according to the CDC.
People should call 911 and seek immediate medical attention if they have trouble breathing, bluish lips or face, new confusion or inability to arouse and/or persistent pain or pressure in the chest.

See Also:

• MD Stay-At-Home Order Lifted; Some Jurisdictions To Reopen
• Maryland Schools To Close For Rest Of Spring: Coronavirus
• Hogan Administration Sued Over Stay-At-Home Order: MD Coronavirus