N95 Masks Available
Prince George’s And Montgomery Counties Continue To Improve Covid-19 Testing And Vaccine Availability
Prince George’s County Councilmember Deni Taveras (D)-District 2. shares latest updates on Covid-19. “Home test kits and KN95 masks will be distributed to all students and staff. One kit containing two tests will be available for each child enrolled in our schools. The distribution will be held at schools and offices. Students will be requested to test weekly in order to return to school the following week. Every Sunday, tests should be taken and results uploaded from January 23 through February 27. The link for uploading will be provided next week. Home test kits will be distributed biweekly until the end of February to facilitate this request. More students will be randomly tested in our weekly pools. We have worked with testing vendors to double the capacity to 20 percent of students.”
Covid-19 Updates From District One Weekly News
FREE COVID-19 Test Kits
The White House is providing four FREE COVID-19 rapid at-home tests test kits to every home in the United States. Those interested in ordering tests must provide a name and residential mailing address. Tests will ship through the mail within 7-12 days of ordering, with no shipping fees. To order your tests, click here.
COVID-19 Testing Sites
The Maryland Department of Health has also opened and expanded COVID-19 testing sites in the County, including Laurel: UM Laurel Alternate Care Site (drive-thru), 7300 Van Dusen Road, Laurel, MD 20707, Monday - Sunday, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Booster Shots and More
Based on the latest CDC guidance, the County Health Department is now offering booster shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to youth ages 12 to 15. In addition, those who received the Pfizer vaccine initially should now receive a booster five months after their second dose.
Based on the latest CDC guidance, the County Health Department is now offering third doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to individuals ages 5 and up with weakened immune systems. Third doses for immunocompromised individuals should be administered 28 days after the second dose.
Free COVID-19 vaccines are also available at retail and grocery store pharmacies, urgent care facilities, and other health care providers in the County. For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations and to find your nearest vaccination site, visit the County Health Department website here.
In collaboration with the County Health Department, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) continues to host free COVID-19 vaccination clinics at elementary schools.
County residents ages 5 and older can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at these clinics, including booster doses for individuals ages 12 and older. Schedule an appointment here.
For more information about COVID-19 testing or to use the County testing site locator to find a testing site near you, click here to visit the County Health Department website.
“But Prince George’s County isn’t the only jurisdiction rolling up it’s sleeves in the ongoing fight against the newest strains of COVID-19
Across the State of Maryland, residents are getting better access to in-person Covid-19 testing, take home rapid tests and now N95 masks to help prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease. Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) branches, beginning Friday, Jan. 21, will be providing it's county residents with free, adult-sized N95 masks. Nineteen branches will participate.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the mask guidance to emphasize protection to prevent the spread of COVID-19. N-95, KN-95 and KF-94 respirators are masks that have been shown to provide higher levels of protection against COVID-19. Along with getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth in indoor public settings or in crowds is important to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Residents may pick up four adult-sized ZYB-11 masks (a brand of n-95 mask) at any one of 19 County libraries beginning Friday, Jan. 21. Child-size masks are not available. Supplies are limited and the masks will be available on a first come, first served basis. MCPL branches distributing masks from noon to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday are:
● Damascus
● Davis
● Potomac
MCPL branches distributing masks from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 3 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday are:
● Marilyn Praisner (Burtonsville)
● Olney
● Wheaton
