LINCOLN — Nebraska’s National Guard has officially mobilized more of its members members to respond to the coronavirus pandemic than it did during last year’s record-setting, statewide floods.
Governor Ricketts and Major General Daryl L. Bohac confirmed on Tuesday that 393 Nebraska National Guard soldiers and airmen have been working on the state’s pandemic response. In 2019, 329 National Guard members were mobilized to help with the historic 2019 floods.
The Guard has established six mobile testing teams that have worked in 29 different Nebraska cities, including the hardest-hit areas of the state, where they’ve helped public health officials administer coronavirus tests. Guard members have collected 11,162 coronavirus test samples so far, about 30% of the total gathered in Nebraska.
The typical testing team has six medics, data entry folks, decontamination specialists, and others giving oversight. All teams are comprised of volunteers – Major General Bohac mentioned Tuesday that no Guard units had been ordered into service for this situation.
Currently, the National Guard has testing teams in Columbus, Crete, Grand Island, Holdrege, McCook, and Schuyler.
The Guard also has teams working with food banks in Omaha and Lincoln to distribute provisions to those who need them. In turn, these food banks work with others throughout the state. They’ve distributed over 90,000 pounds of food products to food banks and individuals.
The Nebraska National Guard is also working to support Nebraska’s procurement team in the Department of Administrative Services by distributing PPE to healthcare workers, first responders, and others. The Guard’s PPE team has distributed 6 million masks or face shields and another 2 million gloves,
The Guard has also mobilized strategic planners and other administrative teammates working to provide logistical support, including assistance at two CHI Health testing sites.
On Air Now
Liz Stark
Mon- Fri: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
