COVID-19 Information
How do I get a COVID-19 test?
Testing for COVID-19 is not appropriate for everyone. Generally, only patients who exhibit symptoms, have had contact with someone with COVID-19, or are at high risk (older, underlying conditions) require a test. As more tests are available, there may be testing for everyone who wants a test, but currently that is not the situation in Montgomery County and in many parts of the United States.
First, you will need to call your health care provider. If you are insured but don’t have a primary care doctor, you can go to urgent care (but note they will charge your insurance). If you do not have health insurance, you can enroll in coverage during a special enrollment period through the Maryland Health Connection. For more information about applying for Medicaid or a qualified health plan through the Maryland Health Connection, visit the County's Department of Health and Human Services website. If you are not eligible for Medicaid or a plan through the Maryland Health Connection, you may be eligible for the Montgomery Cares program. Montgomery Cares is:
A testing helpline is available for residents who believe they need testing but do not have a primary care provider. Residents can call 240-777-1755 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m. seven days a week) and they will be evaluated to see if they need testing. If they do not have a doctor, they will be contacted within 24 hours by a volunteer medical professional who will evaluate them and set up an appointment for testing, if needed, at one of the three testing sites currently available. There is no charge for the evaluation.
If you have general questions about COVID-19 symptoms and guidance on symptoms and testing, call the COVID-19 call center at 240-777-1755. The call center is staffed by nurses and is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Info for Residents Looking for a Test:
Step One: Right now, there is not enough available testing to offer testing to everyone and residents cannot order a test for themselves.First, you will need to call your health care provider. If you are insured but don’t have a primary care doctor, you can go to urgent care (but note they will charge your insurance). If you do not have health insurance, you can enroll in coverage during a special enrollment period through the Maryland Health Connection. For more information about applying for Medicaid or a qualified health plan through the Maryland Health Connection, visit the County's Department of Health and Human Services website. If you are not eligible for Medicaid or a plan through the Maryland Health Connection, you may be eligible for the Montgomery Cares program. Montgomery Cares is:
- Community-based health care providers that provide primary medical care services to uninsured adults in Montgomery County.
- Ten different clinics provide services in more than 25 locations in Montgomery County.
- If you are not eligible for Medicaid, Medicare or a qualified health plan through the Maryland Health Connection, you may be eligible for Montgomery Cares.
- Visit the Montgomery Cares website for information on clinics and locations.
- There are no walk ins; call ahead.
- Clinic hours may be subject to change as the situation evolves and clinics are increasingly utilizing telemedicine.
A testing helpline is available for residents who believe they need testing but do not have a primary care provider. Residents can call 240-777-1755 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m. seven days a week) and they will be evaluated to see if they need testing. If they do not have a doctor, they will be contacted within 24 hours by a volunteer medical professional who will evaluate them and set up an appointment for testing, if needed, at one of the three testing sites currently available. There is no charge for the evaluation.
If you have general questions about COVID-19 symptoms and guidance on symptoms and testing, call the COVID-19 call center at 240-777-1755. The call center is staffed by nurses and is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
COVID 19 Updates
- Stay-at-Home Executive Order in Effect in Montgomery County updated (5/18)
- Stay At Home Order Remains In Effect (5/14)
- We Cannot Stop Now (5/11)
- Limited Outdoor Activities OK, But Proceed with Caution (5/7)
- Feeling the Financial Fallout (5/4)
- Maintain Physical Distancing to Flatten the Curve (4/30)
- Financial Relief for Renters and People in Need (4/27)
- New Testing Sites and Family Violence Awareness (4/23)
- Helping with Food Insecurity (4/20)
- Message from County Executive Marc Elrich (4/16)
- Face Covering Health Order Starts Today (4/13)
County Twitter Feed
Tweets by MontgomeryCoMDMontgomery County COVID-19 Cases by the Numbers
The information on the case count chart below is based on the Maryland Department of Health released on 5/12/20. The count may be different from those reported by MD due to sources of reporting. Cases with unknown sex/age are excluded. We will be updating the case count chart on Tuesdays and Fridays. For a daily updates on cases and deaths, scroll up to see Maryland's dashboard which is updated daily.
Male | Female | Total | ||||
Age Group | Count | Rate* | Count | Rate* | Count | Rate |
0-17 | 132 | 106.1 | 131 | 109.9 | 263 | 108.0 |
18-49 | 1,512 | 710.5 | 1,509 | 681.7 | 3,021 | 695.8 |
50-64 | 784 | 786.3 | 696 | 627.9 | 1,480 | 702.9 |
65+ | 707 | 1080.1 | 876 | 1014.4 | 1,583 | 1042.8 |
Total | 3,135 | 624.0 | 3,212 | 597.3 | 6,347 | 610.2 |
* Rates are per 100,000 population. ** The counts may be different than those reported by MDH due to sources of reporting. Cases with unknown sex/age are excluded.
Male | Female | Total | ||||
Age Group | Count | Rate* | Count | Rate* | Count | Rate |
0-17 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
18-49 | 12 | 5.6 | 6 | 2.7 | 18 | 4.1 |
50-64 | 33 | 33.1 | 8 | 7.2 | 41 | 19.5 |
65+ | 155 | 236.8 | 159 | 184.1 | 314 | 206.8 |
Total | 200 | 39.8 | 173 | 32.2 | 373 | 35.9 |
Race/Ethnicity | Count | Rate* |
---|---|---|
NH-White | 183 | 40.5 |
NH-Black | 95 | 49.4 |
NH-Asian | 31 | 19.2 |
Hispanic | 53 | 25.6 |
Other | 11 | |
Total | 373 | 35.9 |
* Rates are per 100,000 population. ** Deaths with unknown sex/age are excluded.
The information on the case count chart above is based on the Maryland Department of Health released on 5/12/20.
The count may be different from those reported by MD due to sources of reporting. Cases with unknown sex/age are excluded.
We will be updating the case count chart on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. This is a new virus that hasn't caused illness in humans before. Worldwide, COVID-19 has resulted in thousands of human infections, casing illness and sometimes death. As the virus continues to spread, there have been cases reported in least 100 countries, including the United States.
What is the risk of COVID-19 to Montgomery County right now? What about the future?
The risk to Montgomery County residents is elevated. The number of cases in Maryland and Montgomery County continues to increase. While some early cases were related to international travel, most new cases are related to community spread, meaning people catch it from each other while going about their daily lives. We do not know the exact course of the virus. For an updated case count in Maryland, visit the COVID-19 case count dashboard. Data is updated daily.
Who is at risk currently?
Anyone can become sick with COVID-19. The majority of individuals in Montgomery County with COVID-19 have experienced mild to moderate symptoms. Currently, people who are most at risk for complications are:
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Older adults (those over 60 years old)
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Those with serious underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease
Are there recommendations for vulnerable populations, including those over 60 years old, and individuals with health conditions that put them at risk?
If you are at higher risk of getting sick from COVID-19, you should:
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Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
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Limit your interactions to people living in your own household.
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Avoid going out in public unless it is absolutely necessary, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
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Avoid crowds as much as possible.
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Avoid cruise travel and nonessential air travel.
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Stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.
Vulnerable populations include people who are:
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60 years old and older.
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People with certain chronic health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes.
How does COVID-19 spread, what are the symptoms and how do I prevent the spread?
COVID-19 is spread through:
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coughing and sneezing, which creates respiratory droplets
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close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
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touching an object or surface with the virus on it
Symptoms:
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Fever
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Coughing
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Shortness of breath
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In more severe cases, pneumonia (infection in the lungs)
If someone has COVID-19, what happens to them?
Most people recover from this infection. Close to 80 percent will have mild or moderate symptoms. Ill people may be advised to recover at home and isolate themselves from others. These individuals should call their physician or clinic if their symptoms worsen. There is also no specific medicine currently to treat COVID-19 because it is a new disease.
Some COVID-19 infections can lead to serious illness, and in some cases death. If someone has a more serious illness from COVID-19, they may be admitted to the hospital. Older people and those with pre-existing medical problems have a greater risk for serious illness. Examples of pre-existing medical problems are cancer, diabetes, heart disease, COPD and other conditions that impact our immune system's ability to fight germs.
What can I do to protect myself and others?
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is very important for everyone to take serious precautions. Staying home and practicing social distancing as much as possible is critical to stopping the spread of the illness. There is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. Therefore, it is important to take preventative steps to slow the spread of the illness.
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Anyone who can telework should do so.
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Limit trips outside the home to essential travel only, and be sure to stay at least 6 feet away from anyone who is not a member of your household.
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Wear a cloth face covering when going out.
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Avoid gathering in groups.
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Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
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Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
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Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using standard cleaning practices.
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Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, your sleeve, or your elbow.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
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Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
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If you are sick, stay home except to get medical care. Inform your supervisor of any illness.
What should I do if I think I am sick with COVID-19?
If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, follow the steps below to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.
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Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
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Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated.
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Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion or inability to arouse or bluish lips or face, or if you think it is an emergency.
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Avoid public transporation, ride-sharing or taxis.
Your health care provider can assess your symptoms and determine if diagnostic testing is appropriate and whether you need to self-monitor, self-quarantine, or self-isolate. If you are instructed to self-isolate at home, you may discontinue self-isolation:
If you will not have a test to determine if you are still conatgious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
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You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
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Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
and
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At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
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You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
and
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Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
and
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You received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. Your doctor will follow CDC guidelines.
If you develop severe symptoms or emergency warning signs for COVID-19 such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face:
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Get medical attention immediately. Call your health care provider or emergency room before you go.
Should the general public wear face masks?
The CDC now recommends wearing masks where social distancing is difficult to maintain. Masks are not advised for children under two years of age and individuals with difficulty breathing.
The goal of cloth masks is to prevent people who feel healthy but have COVID-19 from unknowingly spreading respiratory droplets when they are in public. It should be emphasized that cloth masks do not offer the same level of protection as surgical masks and N95 respirator mask. Surgical masks and N95 respirator masks should be reserved for frontline health care personnel.
Cloth face covers should:
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Fit snugly, but comfortably against the side of the face
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Be secured with ties or ear loops
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Include multiple layers of fabric
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Allow for breathing without restriction
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Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
If you are wearing a mask, it is important to wash it regularly; machine washing is considered to be an acceptable cleaning method. Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth when removing their face covering and wash hands immediately after removing.
If you want to make your own cloth masks, here are some how-to instructions and videos to provide guidance:
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U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams provides tips on making and wearing a mask.
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CDC instructions on how to wear and clean a facemask.