COVID-19 Community Testing Available at MMC
March 21, 2020
On Sunday, March 22, 2020, Memorial Medical Center (MMC), in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Health, will offer testing to community members who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who meet the criteria, as stated below.
The testing will take place at MMC’s main hospital campus in Las Cruces at 2450 South Telshor Boulevard from 9:00am to 1:00pm, or while supplies last.
Patients who are concerned they may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should come to MMC for screening. However, if you are experiencing a medical emergency, including shortness of breath, call 9-1-1 and notify the dispatch agent that you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. An emergency medicine provider will determine, in coordination with the health department and CDC guidelines, if testing is appropriate.
It is important to know before attending these screenings that those without symptoms of the COVID-19 infection do not need testing. Specific symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, or shortness of breath. The following criteria will be used to determine who is tested:
- People experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 infection: fever, cough, or shortness of breath
- People who have traveled from Europe (to include Italy), China, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Seattle, New York City, San Francisco and Portland, Oregon
Additionally:
- No insurance is required for COVID-19 screening.
- New Mexicans with health-related questions can call the coronavirus hotline at 855-600-3453.
- For non-health-related questions or concerns, please call 833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov.
- The state Department of Health will update its dedicated COVID-19 webpage with additional tests as the state lab provides results.
All those seeking COVID-19 testing will enter the parking lot at the Terrace Drive entrance. See attached map for more detail. It is imperative that no one attempts to enter in any other way that disrupts patient care in the hospital. To help limit viral spread, vehicles with more than two people will be turned away. The Las Cruces Police Department and New Mexico State Police will assist with traffic flow and ensure the testing parameters are met.
For those who do not meet the criteria to be tested, we encourage you to continue to be safe and protect yourself against the spread of COVID-19. Wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and practice social distancing.
Memorial Medical Center is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers, visitors and the community. We are continuing to work closely with our partners at the local health department and are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure our hospital is prepared to assist with the appropriate plans to detect, protect and respond should anyone in our community contract or be exposed to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19).
If you are experiencing a life threatening medical emergency, please call 9-1-1 or use the Telshor Boulevard entrance for the Emergency Department. Do not use the Emergency Department for community testing.