The Louisiana National Guard now has more than 1,200 soldiers and airmen assisting with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) response including distributing critical medical supplies across the state.
According to a realse from LANG, the number of guardsmen activated and equipment utilized is anticipated to increase until the situation is stabilized.
LANG states that it has mobilized guardsmen throughout the state to support current operations, including medical, engineering assessment, and commodities distribution support, shelter assistance, traffic control point and drive-through testing site support, assistance at food banks, and to provide liaison officer teams to Parish Emergency Operations Centers.
The commodities distribution mission has yielded more than 366,555 N95 masks, 1,275,143 gloves, 300 ventilators, and 49,650 Tyvek suits.
LANG states that it is ensuring the health and safety of its soldiers and airmen In order to assist civil authorities.
LANG states that it is actively taking steps to support health protection in order to maintain mission readiness, such as limiting non mission-specific travel, educating and enforcing strict CDC-recommended hygiene measures, and monitoring guardsmen’s temperature readings and overall health on a daily basis.