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Military Times Around 400 National Guard personnel have been activated across six states to support operations to stem the spread of novel coronavirus, the National Guard Bureau said in a press release.
The governors of Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, New York, Rhode Island and Washington have all activated components of their Army and Air National Guard. Guardsmen in California and Maryland are also expected to join their statesâ efforts today.
âThe National Guard is fully involved at the local, state, and federal level in the planning and execution of the nationâs response to COVID-19,â a National Guard Bureau spokesperson said in the release. âIn times of emergency, the National Guard Bureau serves as a federal coordinating agency should a state require assistance from the National Guard of another state.â
âAt the national level, Guard members are training personnel on COVID-19 response, identifying and preparing National Guard facilities for use as isolation housing, and compiling state medical supply inventories,â the release continued. âNational Guard personnel will provide assistance to the states that include logistical support, disinfection/cleaning, activate/conduct transportation of medical personnel, call center support, and meal delivery.”
While the number currently stands at under 500, the National Guard Bureau said those numbers âwill rapidly change,â as the agency âexpect[s] that number to approach 1,000â by the end of the day.
Currently, 33 states have declared states of emergencies to mobilize greater resources and streamline responses to the new coronavirus outbreak, the bureau noted.