NMSU, NMDOH partner to provide free COVID-19 testing for resident students

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 05 August 2020 05 August 2020

nmsu080503New Mexico State University conducted its first day of “door-to-door” COVID-19 testing of out-of-state resident students on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Five teams of staff from Aggie Health & Wellness Center with support from the New Mexico Department of Health and the NMSU Police Department are conducting the testing Aug. 5-6. (NMSU photo)New Mexico State University, in collaboration with the New Mexico Department of Health, is providing free COVID-19 testing for incoming out-of-state resident students who are currently undergoing the 14-day quarantine required by the state of New Mexico.

To support a safe return to campus, New Mexico State University is testing approximately 100 students for COVID-19 over a two-day period Aug. 5-6.

“We are sending trained collections staff to each student’s dorm room to make it quick and convenient,” said Lori McKee, executive director of NMSU’s Aggie Health and Wellness Center. “It’s been easy for students to register for the free COVID-19 test online, thanks to the New Mexico Department of Health. We are doing everything possible to create a safe space for our students coming back to campus this semester.”

In the event a student tests positive for COVID-19, the university has systems and processes in place to take care of their medical, emotional and physical health, including telehealth visits with medical and counseling providers, meal delivery service, and essential service support from the Department of Housing and Residential Life. The Aggie Life teams on campus are working on collaborative approaches to meet the needs of a recovering student.

COVID-19 testing is among many steps NMSU is taking to create a safer and healthier environment for students, faculty and staff. Classroom spaces have been reconfigured to allow for social distancing, and anyone on campus, whether they are in common areas, classrooms and labs or outdoors, must wear a face covering and stay at least 6 feet from others.

In-state students living on campus will start moving in on Aug. 14 through a scheduled appointment process to limit the number of people in the facilities at the same time.

NMSU will also offer trainings to learn various ways students, faculty and staff can help keep themselves and others safer and healthier on campus.

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