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MING assists with voluntary COVID19 testing for Long Term Care Facility staff

Michigan National Guard assists with voluntary COVID-19 testing for Long Term Care Facility staff and residents

 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan National Guard has joined a collaborative effort with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Michigan State Police (MSP) to assist with voluntary COVID-19 testing for staff and residents at the request of Long Term Care Facilities across Michigan.

 

Between May 7th and May 14th, the Michigan National Guard assisted the Upper Peninsula Health Department, DHHS, and MSP by completing testing at seven Long Term Care Facilities across the Upper Peninsula. Beginning on May 15th, Michigan National Guard testing teams began assisting in Oakland County, and continued to Genesee, Kent, Muskegon, Washtenaw, Wayne, Ingham, Saginaw, and Macomb Counties through May 22nd.  Support to DHHS testing is expected to continue, based on DHHS priority, through the end of May with Kalamazoo, Calhoun, St. Clair, Ottawa, Berrien, Gratiot, Bay, Eaton, Grand Traverse and Livingston Counties with the next areas.   

 

“The Michigan National Guard is made up of men and women who strive to provide innovative solutions and performance excellence to the citizens of Michigan,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “We look forward to continuing our support to communities, especially the most vulnerable populations.”

 

The Michigan National Guard has over 60 trained testing teams ready to assist, 15 of which are currently assigned to support this Long Term Care Facility mission. Separate teams have recently supported testing at Michigan Department of Corrections facilities throughout the state.

 

These three-member teams include a certified medic to conduct the testing and two members to assist with paperwork, logistics, and non-medical tasks. Teams are equipped to perform testing, or to train staff members to perform testing at the discretion of the Long Term Care Facility.

 

All team members have tested negative for COVID-19 and have been self-isolating in accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance to ensure health and safety and to protect Michigan communities. The teams wear personal protective equipment, including Tyvek suits, face shields, nitrile gloves, and face mask (N-95 or surgical, as appropriate).