On Campus Oral PCR Testing Begins at 8 a.m.

Silver City, NM – Western New Mexico University employees who are working on campus through the end of the year will all have the opportunity to receive a free PCR test on campus tomorrow morning. From Graham Gym, university staff members will be providing the oral PCR tests between 8 a.m. and noon.

While the university had closed campus to the public two weeks ago, some employees have maintained a physical presence and plan to be work from their on-campus offices through the end of the semester.

“I am committed to making our work environment as safe as possible. While I recognize that we cannot eliminate risk, I wish to assist in reducing it,” said WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard, in a letter to employees about the required testing. 

“The purpose for the closure and testing is to provide you the confidence that not only are you COVID-19-free but so, too, are your colleagues.”

WNMU will be employing the Curative oral PCR test, which can be administered in less than five minutes. Samples are sent to a lab in California for analysis. Results will go directly and only to employees — not to the university — and are expected by Thursday.

Campus will close between noon on Tuesday, December 1, and 8 a.m. on Thursday, December 3, to enable employees to quarantine and work remotely while test results are returned and to allow WNMU buildings to be cleaned and fogged. This closure is only for the physical campus, which had closed to the public two weeks ago.

“I appreciate all our community is doing to minimize the virus’ spread,” Dr. Shepard said.