Health Department Announces Plan to Distribute Rapid At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits Through Community-Based Organizations Serving VALUE Communities 

Program prioritizes rapid, efficient, and equitable distribution of at-home COVID-19 test kits   

Media Contacts: Jack French: Jack.French@baltimorecity.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BALTIMORE, MD. (Tuesday, November 30, 2021) – Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) is excited to participate in the distribution of free Abbott BinaxNOW Antigen at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits received from the Maryland Department of Health.  BCHD will make COVID-19 rapid test kits available to eligible community-based organizations in limited quantities to be distributed to clients and community members. 

Organizations that are eligible to apply for COVID-19 test kits include those that are located in Baltimore City and who serve primarily Baltimore City residents.  The Health Department will prioritize the distribution of test kits to organizations that primarily serve VALUE communities and/or are located in zip codes with lower vaccination rates.     

COVID-19 test kits will be provided to eligible organizations on a first come first served manner. BCHD anticipates being able to provide COVID-19 test kits to up to 45 organizations initially. Selected organizations will receive 60 test kits.  The Health Department will re-evaluate requests and/or allow organizations to apply for additional test kits pending available supplies.    

More information on the process to request COVID-19 test kits, as well as the online request form, is available at: https://coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov/covid-19-test-kit-distribution-program. Organizations can begin submitting request forms Tuesday, Nov 30. We anticipate COVID-19 test kits will be available for distribution the week of December 6.  

A limited supply of at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits will also be available for members of the public at BCHD COVID testing sites starting the week of December 6. The schedule for COVID testing sites is available here: https://coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov/where-get-tested-covid-19-baltimore-city. 

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to isolate away from others until no longer infectious. They should seek emergency care if their symptoms are concerning. They should wear a mask if they need to be around others.  

“We are excited about this opportunity to provide COVID-19 test kits to community members,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Letitia Dzirasa. “We hope that by providing COVID-19 test kits to community organizations who are familiar with and embedded in our neighborhoods, we can effectively distribute COVID-19 test kits to those who are most in need of testing resources.”