Maryland is testing professional and volunteer firefighters as part of an effort to determine how prevalent the coronavirus is in the community.|| Coronavirus updates | Maryland's latest numbers | Where to get tested ||Gov. Larry Hogan announced a new serology testing study that uses blood samples to find any coronavirus antibodies. Serology testing is not diagnostic, but uses a blood sample to look for antibodies made in response to a previous COVID-19 infection."Our firefighters are on the front lines of emergency response, which greatly increases their risk of exposure to COVID-19," Hogan said in a statement. "Serology testing helps our health officials determine the prevalence of the virus, so we can have a better idea about how to prevent transmission and help protect our essential workforce.""We’re working closely with all of our local jurisdictions to continue to bring them into this initiative," Maryland Health Secretary Robert Neall said in a statement. "More participation not only increases the reach of our study, but also provides valuable insight about the prevalence of COVID-19 among our first responders and the communities they serve."Since Sept. 15, Frederick County and the city of Annapolis have submitted more than 650 serologic samples from their firefighting forces, yielding a 1.9% positivity rate. Five other jurisdictions -- Prince George's County, Worcester County, Salisbury, Fort Detrick and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Station -- have received or requested testing supplies.Officials said the test consists of a blood draw to produce samples, which are sent to the State Public Health Laboratory for analysis. The lab processes the samples and provides results, typically within 24 hours.State officials hope to expand the testing to include all first responders. The initiative is a collaboration between MDH and the Professional Fire Fighters of Maryland of the International Association of Fire Fighters.