Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced that it has partnered with the Allegany County Health Department to open a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at the Allegany County Fairgrounds Ag Pavilion at 11400 Moss Ave., Cumberland, MD 21502. The new site will begin providing tests to Marylanders tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 8 a.m.

“By partnering with the Allegany County Health Department to establish a new testing site, we are able to increase local testing capacity at a time when the need is high,” said MDH Secretary Robert R. Neall. “With COVID-19 case and positivity rates ticking up in the region and across the state, it is critical for all Marylanders who need a test to be diligent about getting a test. Knowledge is a powerful tool, and testing provides the knowledge that we need to help contain the spread of the virus.”

Testing will occur at the Allegany County Fairgrounds on Mondays from 2 to 7 p.m. and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no out-of-pocket cost to get a test at the site, and appointments and doctors’ orders are not required. 

“The Allegany County Fairgrounds COVID-19 testing site will provide residents of Allegany County and our neighboring counties with a safe, comfortable place to get free tests,” said Jenelle Mayer, Allegany County’s health officer. “As testing has become more important than ever, so too has the importance of accessible options for those needing tests. We are thankful to have this convenient new site to serve our area.”

With its large, permanent roof, the Allegany County Fairgrounds Ag Pavilion provides a space that’s well-suited for testing during fall and winter weather. Patients visiting the site will remain in the heated comfort of their cars throughout the testing process, while staff will have the benefit of cover at all times, with indoor bathrooms and hand-washing sinks nearby. Other testing sites in the state, such as the MDH sites at the Baltimore Convention Center and in Annapolis, have also made preparations to ensure that their spaces are properly suited for colder temperatures.

Maryland has continued to bolster its testing capacity throughout the pandemic, and there are currently more than 225 testing sites located across the state.

During the month of October, the state reported an average of over 26,461 test results per day. Between November 1 and November 9, that figure grew, with an average of more than 27,790 test results returned each day.

The Maryland Department of Health continues to urge all Marylanders who need a test to get a test, including:

• symptomatic individuals;  
• all who suspect exposure, including those who are asymptomatic;
• individuals who are at risk of exposure, including workers in frequent contact with the public in health care, emergency services, food and grocery, retail or manufacturing, public transportation, educational, and other congregate settings;
• individuals who have been in large gatherings; and
• individuals who have traveled recently.

Find a testing site near you at COVIDtest.Maryland.gov. Additional COVID-19 information and resources are available at https://coronavirus.maryland.gov.