These El Paso COVID-19 Sites Are Offering Free Saliva Testing

Want to get tested for COVID-19 but the thought of your nasal cavity being invaded keeps you from doing it? Well, you could always opt for saliva testing.

A partnership between the county and Texas Division of Emergency Management is providing El Pasoans with this alternate way to get tested on Friday, January 29 at the Montana Vista Fire Station, 13978 Montana.

Instead of a nasal swab, the TDEM testing site conducts an oral fluid swab tests that by all accounts is more comfortable than a cotton-tipped swab some say gets shoved so far up your nose it makes your brain recoil to the far reaches of your skull.

That Montana Vista Fire Station drive-thru testing site will be operational from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, only, but is not the only location one can get those types of tests this week.

Saliva testing is also being conducted at Memorial Park at 1701 N Copia Street in central El Paso and 11440 N Loop Drive at the ESD Fire Station 2 in Socorro. Both of those sites operate Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both are drive-through and offer no-cost testing for anyone with or without symptoms.

All three saliva testing locations referenced above require pre-registration, which can be done online HERE or by calling (267) 362-5207.

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Although the COVID-19 vaccine is getting all the attention these days, the coronavirus is still very much in our community, and until a vast majority of our population receives the vaccine, the goal to curb its spread is still a priority. Local health authorities continue to encourage everyone to get tested whether showing symptoms or not.

City of El Paso Drive-Thru Testing (Nasal Swabs)

Testing is conducted Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., but you must first schedule an appointment online.

• West; 7400 High Ridge Dr.

State Testing Drive Thru-Sites (Nasal Swabs)

Testing is available daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to anyone 5 years or older. No appointments needed, however, once the daily capacity is met the site will be close.

• Nation Tobin Recreation Center, 8831 Railroad Dr.
• SISD Student Activities Complex, 1300 Joe Battle Blvd.
• Eastside Sports Complex, 14380 Montwood
• EP County SportsPark, 1780 N. Zaragoza (Entrance off of Joe Battle Boulevard)
• UTEP, Schuster 1 Parking Lot, off Schuster at the Spur 1966 roundabout
• Ascarate Park, 6800 Delta
• El Paso Community College Valle Verde Campus, 919 Hunter Dr.

State Rural Testing Site (Nasal Swabs)

Testing is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to anyone 5 years or older. No appointments needed, however, once the daily capacity is met the site will be close.

• Region 19 Kenworthy Complex; 9776 Kenworthy
• West Valley Fire St., 510 Vinton Rd., Anthony, TX
• ESD #2 HQ, 16001 Socorro Rd., Fabens, TX