Baltimore City Health Department Selects Community Covid-19 Test Kit Distribution Sites

Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and other partners will continue distributing COVID-19 test kits to the public

Media Contact: Greg Padgett, Greg.Padgett@baltimorecity.gov 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BALTIMORE, MD. (April 14, 2022) – The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) is excited to announce additional COVID-19 Test Kit Distribution partners. Residents can find a list of COVID-19 Test Kit Distribution partners on the Health Department’s website. Organizations will receive a supply of COVID-19 at-home test kits for distribution to the community and will advertise distribution plans. Organizations were selected via an application process that considered representation across BCHD’s COVID-19 VALUES communities and geographic coverage across the city. The VALUES (Vaccine Acceptance & Access Lives in Unity, Education & Engagement) communities include older adults, Latinx community members, individuals experiencing homelessness, African Americans, Orthodox Jewish community members, young men, pregnant and lactating women, immigrants, pediatric populations, faith, and people living with disabilities. 

The COVID-19 test kit program aims to increase access to at-home COVID-19 test kits for individuals who may face challenges accessing other COVID-19 testing resources. By partnering with community-based organizations with the knowledge, skills, and experience serving Baltimore neighborhoods, the Health Department will continue to focus on addressing disparities associated with COVID-19. “Our community-based partners have provided a valuable service to ensure the public, especially those who are part of our VALUES communities, have access to test kits,” said BCHD Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa. “We are grateful for every organization that has supported City residents during this historic pandemic.” 

BCHD will continue distributing at-home COVID-19 test kits via the following partners: 

• Enoch Pratt Free Libraries -Distribution is ongoing, available whenever Enoch Pratt Free libraries are open. Information on approximate supply at each branch is located here:  https://www.prattlibrary.org/services/at-home-covid-19-tests.
• Baltimore City Health Department’s Syringe Services Program
• Civic Works Homebound COVID test kit delivery - Call 410-929-5448 (Mon-Fri 9 AM - 6 PM) for homebound individuals with symptoms of COVID-19. More information is here: https://coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov/where-get-tested-covid-19-baltimore-city/home-rapid-covid-testing. 
• Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services will provide test kits to homeless shelters in Baltimore City to test symptomatic or exposed residents. 
• Behavioral Health System Baltimore will provide COVID-19 test kits to residential behavioral health providers. More information is here. 

The partners selected for this program will distribute at-home COVID-19 test kits in the community through events, home delivery, and with support from other organizations. A calendar of distribution plans will be available on the Health Department’s website. BCHD expects the COVID-19 test kit distribution program to run into the fall based on the current quantities available.  Individuals are also eligible to order up to 2 sets of 4 free at-home COVID-19 test kits through www.covid.gov/tests or by calling 1-800-232-0233.