CHARLESTON, W.Va. –
This week, the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) surpassed day 111 of supporting the state’s COVID-19 response. Currently, 428 members of the WVNG are on duty and we have completed 1,706 missions to date.
Throughout the month of June, the WVNG completed 375 missions that encompassed conducting more than 8,000 COVID-19 tests; the boxing and delivery of over 20,000 meals; 122 first responder vehicles undergoing sanitization; the movement of 3.3 million items of critical personal protective equipment (PPE); and nearly 300 civilians trained on best practices for the prevention of COVID-19 spread.
“As we move into the Independence Day weekend, I cannot be more thankful of the work of our men and women in uniform and the support they provide to the State of West Virginia,” stated Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, Adjutant General of the WVNG. “Time and time again they have been asked to step up and meet the challenges we collectively face and they have done so with poise and determination. As I ask them to be leaders in their communities by demonstrating what right looks like, I urge our citizens of this great state to help them in the fight against COVID-19 by wearing a mask in public, maintaining social distance, limiting large gatherings, and following proper guidelines for personal hygiene and cleanliness like hand washing and avoiding touching your face. If we continue to work together, we can showcase the true spirit of the Mountain State to effectively curb the spread of this terrible virus and protect ourselves and those around us.”
This week, Task Force Sustainment continued delivery of personal protective equipment to counties in the state to prepare for any potential surges in the coming weeks and months. This push of PPE will ensure that county emergency managers and health departments have supplies locally available in the event they need them.
The Guard is continuing to procure PPE in order to meet a 180-day supply for the state and is working with the hospital and health care associations in the state to monitor PPE supply versus demand totals.
The 1092nd Engineer Battalion wrapped up their support mission to Fayette and Greenbrier Counties this week following recent flash flooding. This team of Soldiers provided debris removal for area residents who saw damage from flood waters in their homes.
West Virginia National Guard support to our partner agencies remains consistent as our teams of Soldiers and Airmen assisted with the packing and distribution of meals at local food banks in Huntington and Preston County this week. In addition, personnel augmenting DHHR’s regional epidemiology teams have conducted 14,479 voluntary COVID-19 mapping engagements.
As of this release, the WVNG has provided the following for the citizens of West Virginia:
- Packaged and delivered 343,161 meals
- Received and shipped 5,887,726 pieces of PPE to all 55 counties
- Sanitized 615 first responder vehicles
- Performed 20,988 COVID-19 tests at various testing lanes or support missions
- Trained 834 businesses, 102 long term care facilities or medical practices and 4,807 civilians on COVID-19 prevention best practices
- Produced 142,079 pieces of PPE including isolation gowns and sewn face coverings
B-roll footage of current and ongoing WVNG missions are available at: www.dvidshub.net/units/wv-ang