When to Test
- If you have symptoms, test immediately.
- If you were exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before testing. If you test too early, you may be more likely to get an inaccurate result.
- Consider testing before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19, especially if you are in an area with a medium or high COVID-19 Community Level.
In-Person Testing
- The Health Department offers free, drive through nasal swab PCR testing for COVID-19.
- Appointments are required. Walk-ins are not accepted.
- See the Events calendar for the testing schedule.
- Create an account with our laboratory vendor, CIAN Diagnostics.
- Once you have created an account, you will be able to schedule an appointment.
- After testing, you’ll receive a text message when your results are in. You can then login to your account to view the results.
- If you need help creating an account, please call (410) 479-8000.
Getting Tested:
- When you arrive for your test, please park in the spot designated for COVID-19 testing (near the HAPS building’s main entrance).
- Stay in your car and call 410.829.0491.
- A technician will come to your car to conduct the test.
- Please wear a mask.
At-Home Testing
At-home self-tests detect current infection and give you results in 10-15 minutes. Although self-tests are usually faster, they are not as good at detecting the virus as PCR tests, meaning you might get a false negative result. Self-tests are more likely to detect the virus if you have symptoms.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends people who get an initial negative result on an at-home test, take at least one more test 48 hours later. Take a third test, 48 hours after the second, if the second test was negative and you don’t have symptoms.
To get at-home tests:
- The Health Department has free at-home test kits available while supplies last. You can get them at any branch of the Caroline County Public Library, at our in-person testing, or call (410) 479-8000 to request test kits for pick up. Limits may apply.
- Talk to your insurance company. They may cover all or part of the cost of at-home tests.
- Ask your primary care provider if they have free test kits available.
COVID-19 vaccinations are safe, effective, and free. All people ages 6 months and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. It is highly recommended to stay up to date on your COVID vaccination by receiving all booster shots for which you are eligible.
The Caroline Health Department is currently offering the following vaccines:
- Ages 12-17: Pfizer boosters
- Ages 18+: Moderna and Pfizer boosters
- Extra Moderna or Pfizer booster for 18+ moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals (have a weakened immune system) due to a medical condition or from receipt of immunosuppressive medications or treatments
To make an appointment for your COVID-19 booster, visit our Event calendar for the vaccination schedule.
If you need to arrange for a primary vaccine series (shots 1 and 2) or vaccination for a child under age 12, please call (410) 479-8000.
If you have COVID-19, you can spread the virus to others. Isolation is used to separate people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 from those without COVID-19.
It can be confusing to know when and for how long to isolate from others if you have COVID-19. The CDC provides more information on their website, including a calculator to give you specific guidance.
The Health Department reports on COVID data every Monday, using data available through the Maryland Department of Health’s COVID-19 public data dashboard and other reports.
The following sources provide up to date, reliable information on COVID-19: