Additional Coronavirus Testing Sites Open In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Quality First Urgent Care has teamed up with Howard County to operate an additional diagnostic drive-through testing site at the Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department, 5700 Rowanberry Dr., Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting Oct. 12. Doctor’s orders will not be required. The site will have scheduled appointments available, but they are not required.

“Robust and consistent testing is one of our most important tools to understand the spread of COVID-19 and quickly isolate those who test positive,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in a statement. “We’re grateful to Dr. Pascal Crosley and his Quality First team who have stepped up to fill this need in our community and to our Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department who are loaning their space. Additionally, Howard County General Hospital’s Community Testing has been critical in reaching underserved populations and providing testing and COVID-19 information to more of our residents.”

Quality First is striving to fill a testing gap since coronavirus testing at the Columbia VEIP site shut down so that the emissions station can resume their operations. The VEIP site, which closed Sept. 24, was a coordinated effort between Howard County’s Health Department and the Maryland Department of Health.

“As part of the public safety team in Howard County, it is imperative that we support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Howard County Fire Chief William Anuszewski. “The ability to assist with a feasible location for COVID-19 testing without impacting our ability to continue providing quality emergency service is a win-win for the community we serve."

Elkridge Volunteer Fire Chief Russell Pryornoted that it's "important for us to have a COVID testing site within our community for convenience and added peace of mind."

“Opening a testing site in the northern part of the County allows more residents to conveniently obtain testing near them,” said Dr. Maura J. Rossman, Howard County Health Officer. “The more people who are tested and are aware of their COVID status, the more effective we can be at controlling the spread of the virus.”

To date, Howard County has tested 27.4 percent of its population and has a rolling seven-day positivity rate of 1.95 percent. On average, Howard County administers more than 1,300 tests per day.

Howard County General Hospital has scheduled additional Community Testing sites to accommodate those who might want to be tested, including:

• Saturday, Oct. 3, 8 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., First Baptist Church of Guilford 7504 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia
• Saturday, Oct. 10, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Korean Translators Available 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 4100 St. John’s Lane, Ellicott City
• Sunday, Oct. 25, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Korean Translators Available 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6020 Ten Oaks Road, Clarksville
• Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Celebration Church 7101 Riverwood Drive, Columbia

Advanced registration is strongly encouraged. To learn more or register, visit www.bit.ly/j2bh-testing . For additional assistance, call 410-740-7601. For a complete list of testing sites in Howard County, please click here.