It’s in observance of National Faith & HIV Awareness Day.
Frederick, MD (KB) The Frederick County Health Department, in partnership with Seton Center Incorporated, has announced that it will be offering free and confidential Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) tests on Friday, August 27th. This is in observation of National Faith and HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
National Faith and HIV/AIDS Awareness Day aims to raise awareness by connecting people of different beliefs to destigmatize HIV/AIDS in their congregations.
36,801 people received an HIV diagnosis in 2019 in the United States. 931 people in Maryland were diagnosed with HIV, and out of that 13 new diagnoses were reported in Frederick County.
Frederick County has reached 93% viral suppression rate, which is one of the highest rates in the state. The Frederick County Health Department, along with Seton Center Inc., says they will “continue to support, test, and prevent the spread of HIV through various programs and events throughout the year.”
From the Frederick County Health Department’s release:
“The following services will be available to the public: food distribution, Hepatitis C and Syphilis testing, overdose response training, harm reduction, COVID-19 vaccine with Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer, COVID testing, and confidential HIV screenings. Incentives will be provided. This event will be held from 11am-2pm at the Seton Center Outreach and Family Store, 226 East Lincoln Ave, Emmitsburg MD 21727. For more information, visit https://health.frederickcountymd.gov/ or call 301-600-1733.”