Both D.C. and Maryland are gearing up to start drive-through coronavirus testing sites and are calling on volunteers to join their respective Medical Reserves Corps to help staff them, along with other public health tasks, including distributing medical supplies and providing support in community health centers or local hospitals.
“The D.C. Medical Reserve Corps is designed to support public health and medical emergency preparedness, response, and recovery,” Department of Health Director LaQuandra Nesbitt said at a press conference today. “We need your assistance.”
Both medical and non-medical volunteers can apply, but “only properly licensed credentialed and trained health professionals participate in clinical-related activities,” according to Nesbitt.
Volunteers must be over the age of 18 and willing to work on an as-needed basis. The city has said that volunteers might provide medical screenings in “mass care settings,” track patients at planned events, and other tasks. More than 1,600 people have already applied, according to Nesbitt.
Meanwhile, an automated voice message sent on Sunday said the drive-through site would be open four hours a day, but the exact dates of operation were yet to be determined. No details were given on the location, and D.C.’s Department of Health did not respond by press time as to where a potential testing site will be located.
Maryland’s state government sent out a similar call on Thursday. A Maryland Department of Health spokesperson told DCist that the Medical Reserves Corps has since enrolled 7,400 volunteers, who are expected to make themselves available from March 21 through April 21. As for training, a spokesperson said Corps members would learn “in real-time at a site were the volunteers are dispatched.”
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said last week that the state was looking to re-purpose Motor Vehicle Administration’s vehicle inspection sites and turn them into drive-through coronavirus testing centers, as quoted in a report by the Baltimore Sun. However, Hogan also noted that Maryland does not have enough tests and those testing sites would not open until more kits become available.
Maryland’s Department of Health told DCist that none of the state-coordinated testing site are up and running yet, but the hope is to have some sites up by mid-week.
As the Capital Gazette reported on Friday, at least one drive-through testing site was opened in in Anne Arundel County by Chesapeake ERgent Care. Only those with a doctor’s orders will receive a test.
Similar restrictions are being used at a testing site set up by Arlington County and Virginia Hospital Center in order to preserve tests.
A number of Virginia jurisdictions have also put out a call for volunteers, including Montogmery County and Alexandria’s Medical Reserve Corps.
