Maryland Has Conducted More Than 357,000 COVID-19 Tests, Sees 117% Increase in Testing in May
Governor Larry Hogan today announced that after a series of COVID-19 testing expansions, the state saw a 117% increase in testing in the month of May, and has now conducted 357,545 tests statewide. State officials continue to encourage Marylanders to get tested for COVID-19, with nearly 100 major sites now available across the state.
COVID-19 Testing Volume More Than Doubled in May. Maryland conducted 228,305 COVID-19 tests in May, more than double its output in the month of April, with an overall total of 357,545 tests now conducted statewide. The state achieved its short-term goal of 10,000 tests per day before June 1.
Positivity Rate Continues to Decline, Now at 10.8% Statewide. With Maryland’s expanded testing, the state’s positivity rate has dropped by nearly 60% from its peak on April 17, and now stands at 10.8%, the lowest it has been since late March.
Positivity Rate Continues to Decline in Key Jurisdictions. As of today, the positivity rate in Baltimore City is at 10.2%, Anne Arundel County is at 10.0%, Baltimore County is at 9.8%, Howard County is at 9.5%, and Frederick County is at 8.5%—all below the state average.
The positivity rate in Prince George’s County has dropped by more than 61%, from a high of 41.96% to a current rate of 16.1%. Montgomery County has dropped by nearly 60%, from a high of 32.64% to a current rate of 13.1%
More Than 5 Percent of Marylanders Tested. As of today, 5.1% of Marylanders have been tested for COVID-19, and more than 5 percent of residents in each of the four jurisdictions with the most confirmed cases have been tested:
Nearly 100 Major Testing Sites Open, Marylanders Encouraged to Get Tested. With expanded capacity and supplies available, Marylanders do not need to exhibit symptoms or suspect exposure to COVID-19 in order to get tested. The state continues to expand locations for Marylanders to get tested, with nearly 100 major sites now available across the state. Visit coronavirus.maryland.gov to find a location that is most convenient for you.
Long-Term Testing Strategy. Since April 29, when Governor Hogan announced a long-term testing strategy for the state, Maryland has launched a series of COVID-19 testing expansions, including universal testing for nursing home residents and staff, broadening criteria to include those who are asymptomatic, opening no-cost, no-appointment testing at sites throughout the state, new agreements with CVS and Walmart to conduct testing on-site, authorizing the state’s nearly 1,200 pharmacies to order and administer tests, and directly allocating test kits to local jurisdictions.