NC National Guard 'winding down' its COVID-19 relief operations
After 135 days on-duty, the North Carolina National Guard is winding down its COVID-19 relief operations, officials announced.
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After 135 days on-duty, the North Carolina National Guard is winding down its COVID-19 relief operations, officials announced.
The NCNG has been responding to the pandemic every day since March. On Friday, daily operations will cease, but 250 Guardsmen will be on standby and ready to reengage COVID-19 relief efforts if requested by the state.
During the height of COVID-19 response, almost 950 Soldiers and Airmen worked across the state, performing tasks such as:
- Collecting and distributing PPE, including more than 4.3 million masks, 1.6 million bottles of hand sanitizers, 7.9 million gloves, 766,000 face shields, 234,000 gowns, 706,000 shoe covers and 21,000 thermometers.
- Driving over 166,000 miles, delivering delivered 5.3 million meals, including 332,000 school lunches, across the state.
- Organizing and running food banks and food shuttle operations.
- Thwarting 15 malicious attacks and 165 phishing emails and other threats.
- Leading virtual seminars on cyber training and best practices to state and business partners.
- Farming and harvesting produce at the Interfaith Food Shuttle in Raleigh.
- Assisted in interpreting and translating instructions to help Spanish-speaking families register for food bank assistance.
- Testing 380 poultry plant workers and more than 7,100 inmates.
“NCDHHS is incredibly grateful for the tireless work," said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen. "Their dedication and energy have been mission-critical in our efforts to ensure all North Carolinians remained as safe and healthy as possible."
All Guardsmen were medically screened for the virus and, depending on the results, will be released from duty no later than Aug. 7, according to the NCNG.
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