Health

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- After long lines and running out of the day's testing supplies in just two hours on Friday, the New Mexico Department of Health announced it will now be offering additional drive-thru coronavirus screenings in Las Cruces on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The Monday screenings were previously announced, but the Saturday and Sunday sessions were newly added on Friday evening.

Officials said no insurance is required to be tested. But the department issued a statement emphasizing that priority testing will be those who show symptoms like fever, cough, or shortness of breath and for those who have traveled to high-risk areas (Europe, including Italy, China, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Seattle, New York City, San Francisco and Portland).

Officials said allergy symptoms "such as sneezing, and itchy eyes, nose or throat is not an indication for testing" and also noted that "those without symptoms of COVID-19 infection do not need testing for COVID-19."

The drive-thru screenings will be done at the following times and locations:

Saturday, March 21

Las Cruces Public Health Office parking lot

1170 N. Solano (corner of Solano and Spruce)

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (or as long as supplies last)

Sunday, March 22

Memorial Medical Center parking lot (enter lot from Terrace Drive)

2450 S. Telshor Blvd.

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (or as long as supplies last)

Monday, March 23

Burrell College of Medicine parking lot

3501 Arrowhead Dr.

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (or as long as supplies last)

The state Department of Health is limiting the screenings to two people per vehicle.

For health-related questions involving coronavirus, officials said New Mexicans can call the coronavirus hotline at 855-600-3453. For non-health-related questions involving coronavirus, people can call 833-551-0518 or visit the newmexico.gov website.