Free COVID Tests are available.
Baltimore, Md (KM) Despite the availability of vaccines and treatments, Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services for the Maryland Department of Health, says it’s still important to get tested for COVID-19. “We’re entering cold and flu season, and this is the time of year when COVID rates start raising; flu starts spreading as well; and, of course, RSV,” he says.
He also says getting tested determines if you have COVID-19 so that you can get into treatment.
Test kits to detect COVID-19 are now available free of charge. “The federal government reopened its free test program. If you go to covidtest.gov, you can order free home test kits for your family. You can also get free COVID test kits from most local health departments so contact your local health department to find out if they’re offering that, or if local libraries are. There’s still a number of ways to get those tests,” says Dr. Kalyanaraman.
The Frederick County Health Department says on its website that the free COVID test kits are available at local library branches during their normal operating hours.
Even with vaccines and treatments, Dr. Kalyanaraman says the COVID-19 virus is still circulating. “We’re seeing COVID activity in the state It hasn’t really gone up significantly yet. But typically we see that start to happen in November and December which is why we want people to get vaccinated now before we get into the thick of the cold and flu season,” he says.
And this year’s COVID-19 vaccines are now available. “COVID vaccines are available. So is the flu shot,” says Dr. Kalyanaraman. “And so we’re encouraging people to get out there and get your COVID and flu shots as soon as you cam now that we’re in October and getting into cold and flu season.”
He also says you can get your COVID and flu shots at the same time and same location.
For certain age groups, Dr. Kalyanaraman says it would be a good idea for these individuals to get vaccinated against RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus. “It’s really important, particularly for people who are 60 and older, to get that protection. It’s a one-time shot. And for infants as well. Those are the two groups that are most at risk from getting illness from RSV,’ he says
He says pregnant women who are late in their pregnancy should talk with their doctors about getting vaccinated against RSV. “That protects both them and their infant when they’re born,.” says Dr. Kalyanaraman. .
By Kevin McManus