CDC Clears Maryland Lab To Conduct Coronavirus Tests

Federal officials have cleared Maryland's State Public Health Laboratory to perform tests for the new coronavirus, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday.

Rather than having to overnight samples to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, health officials will be able to get results from the Maryland Department of Health in Baltimore.

Maryland has no confirmed cases of coronavirus. However, as of Tuesday morning, seven Marylanders had test results pending.

“Our highest priority is keeping Marylanders safe, and having the capability to test quickly for potential COVID-19 cases is an important part of that,” Hogan said in a statement. “We want our citizens to know that all levels of government are working together proactively and taking every possible precaution to respond to threats of public health.”

CDC guidelines for testing had been limited to patients with clear symptoms of infection who had either traveled to a region where an outbreak is present or who were in close contact with someone who had tested positive for the virus. Last week, the CDC eased its testing criteria to include severely ill hospitalizes patients with unexplained lower respiratory symptoms.

“The ability to test in our own facility in Baltimore is crucial to our rapid response efforts, which are at the forefront of Maryland’s strategy to minimize risk,” said MDH Secretary Robert R. Neall. “We’re working with MDH laboratories to coordinate the use of these tests and will keep the public informed about cases and results.”

Hogan is set to request $10 million in emergency funding to prepare for a possible outbreak in Maryland.