El Paso City Council approves UTEP partnership to assist with coronavirus testing

EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso City Council approved a new partnership Tuesday with UTEP which would allow select faculty members at the university to process coronavirus tests in the area.

The faculty utilized would be part of a clinical laboratory at the university. UTEP President Heather Wilson said four faculty members would be involved, with the possibility of two additional faculty members also becoming involved.

"The public health department contacted us," Wilson said. "They contacted our clinical laboratory science department and said, 'do you have any people ready to go and help us?'"

The agreement approved at the council meeting will last 12 months and the city will reimburse lab costs.

"We're part of this community," Wilson said. "Most of the people who work at that lab are UTEP alumni. We teach this. It's something we're good at. The community needs us, so that's what we're here for."