Staff from the Aggie Health and Wellness Center and support staff from the New Mexico Department of Health suited up in personal protective equipment before starting the "door-to-door" COVID- 19 testing earlier this month. They will team up again Aug. 25–27 and Sept. 1–3 to offer asymptomatic testing for faculty staff and students participating in on-campus, face-to-face classes. The testing is by appointment only. (NMSU Photo by Josh Bachman)New Mexico State University is continuing efforts to ensure a safe return to campus with free testing for faculty, staff and students participating in on-campus, face-to-face classes or living in residence housing.

Over the next two weeks, NMSU’s Aggie Health and Wellness Center, in collaboration with the New Mexico Department of Health, will be conducting COVID-19 testing from 8:30–10:30 a.m. Aug. 25–28 and Sept. 1–3.

“The testing is voluntary for those showing no symptoms of COVID-19 and is available by appointment only for those coming to campus for work or school or living in residence halls,” said Lori McKee, executive director of NMSU’s Aggie Health and Wellness Center. “There is no charge for the testing, but insurance information will be collected.”

To make an appointment for the upcoming testing windows, NMSU faculty, staff and students may call the health center at 575-646-1512 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. No calls are taken between 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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.

NMSU will also offer trainings to learn various ways students, faculty and staff can help keep themselves and others safer and healthier on campus. For more information about efforts to ensure a safe return to campus, visit https://ready.nmsu.edu/.