At least a dozen with ties to NMSU and Doña Ana Community College test positive for virus

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- At least a dozen people connected with New Mexico State University’s Las Cruces campus and Doña Ana Community College have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said Thursday.

Those diagnosed with Covid-19 were simply described as "campus community members" in a statement released by the university.

It did not indicate whether those testing positive were faculty, staff, students or combinations of those.

The announcement comes following what officials said was a "large-scale testing operation" conducted earlier in the week by the New Mexico Department of Health.

"None of the individuals who tested positive had shown symptoms," said NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu. "Approximately half of the individuals had not been on campus since March. The remaining were present on campus, as needed."

Arvizu said NMSU continues to follow all established protocols for Covid-19, including the closing and cleaning of facilities, social distancing and requiring those on campus to wear face coverings.