Virology institute to offer free HIV testing in hardest hit communities

The Institute of Human Virology at The University of Maryland School of Medicine hopes to test 1,000 people for HIV or get them connected to comprehensive health services.

The testing and services will be offered at three Baltimore churches and a community center today. The effort is ahead of National HIV Testing Day, which is Thursday.

Those interested can head to Payne Memorial A.M.E. Church from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The testing will also be offered 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Unity United Methodist Church and the Esperanza Center from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. St. Matthew's New Life United Methodist Church will test from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The events are led by JACQUES Initiative's Project SHALEM, a program under the Institute of Human Virology. The group partnered with Gallery Church of Baltimore and HopeSprings.