SANTA FE – State officials are setting aside time slots for food industry workers for COVID-19 testing at numerous New Mexico Department of Health field offices statewide.
The Department of Health says the testing time slots from 8 to 11 a.m. each Monday will be for people who work at establishments such as restaurants, grocery stories, farmers markets, distribution centers and food manufacturing facilities.
The department says the effort should help identify, isolate and trace new cases.
The department’s announcement notes that many people infected with the coronavirus may not experience symptoms but still have potential to pass the virus.
Cities where participating offices are located include: Albuquerque, Belen, Bernalillo, Española, Farmington, Gallup, Los Alamos, Raton, Santa Fe and Santa Rosa.
Others include: Alamogordo, Anthony, Artesia, Carlsbad, Clovis, Ft. Sumner, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Lovington, Portales, Roswell, Ruidoso, Silver City, Socorro, Sunland Park and Tucumcari.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
