Find COVID Tests, Get Vaccinated In Howard County: Feb. 15

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — As of Tuesday, Howard County officials reported a total positive COVID-19 case count of 41,764 so far. Maryland has 971,175 confirmed cases total so far, reports the state department of health. The county has been unable to update case data to its site since December because of technical issues.

According to Maura Rossman, health officer for Howard County, said the county is on the "other side" of the Omicron surge.

"We peaked about a month ago with a case rate of 189 daily new cases per 100,000 and a test positivity rate of 28 percent. Last month, hospitalizations dramatically increased requiring Howard County General Hospital to implement crisis standards of care. In addition, deaths related to COVID were among the highest in the past two years. (Recent) metrics are improved with 27 daily new cases per 100,000, 6 percent test positivity rate and declining hospitalizations. Although these numbers are improving, per CDC guidelines, these metrics indicate Howard County remains a community with high levels of transmission," Rossman said.

Get tested

The Howard County Health Department provides PCR testing for COVID-19 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. using the FDA-authorized Azova saliva test kit. Self-collection testing is administered on-site or take-home test kits are available for testing.

Test results are available in two to four days. These tests can be used for routine employment testing, pre-travel testing, or school quarantine/isolation. These tests are free but appointments are required and can be made at https://howardcounty.azova.com/.

Rapid testing and PCR testing will be available to residents at no upfront cost through a partnership with First Call Urgent Care and Centennial Medical Group at these sites each week. These testing sites are open seven days a week from noon to 7 p.m.

Test kits also can be purchased from some retailers and pharmacies.

Get vaccinated

You can register for vaccines at this site and a variety of sites by using the state vaccine locator at https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine#locator.

Find a county-operated clinic and register here.