Minnesota National Guard Starts Mobile Testing in Long-Term Care Facilities
May 14, 2020 (ST. PAUL, Minnesota) — In coordination with the Minnesota Department of Health, 21 members of the Minnesota National Guard will start actioning Governor Tim Walz’s plan today to increase testing throughout the state by using mobile testing teams at long-term care facilities. This mobile testing is part of the Five-Point Plan laid out by the Governor to combat COVID-19 in Minnesota’s long-term care facilities.
“The Minnesota National Guard has been assisting state agencies with logistics and planning efforts up to this point,” says Major General Jon Jensen, Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General. “With these new missions our efforts shift to more directly assist those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight.”
The mobile testing teams will be made up of a combination of Army and Air National Guardsmen, each team will have ten members assigned. The Minnesota National Guard will start with two teams this week and will expand those numbers if needed in weeks to come. Locations will focus on long-term care facilities where they will test residents and employees.
Tech. Sgt. Kyle Sovde, a medical technician with the 133rd Medical Group, trains to administer a swab test for COVID-19 on May 14, 2020, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are preparing to be ready to assist in COVID-19 testing. (Minnesota National Guard photo by Sgt. Sebastian Nemec) 
Staff Sgt. Jessica DeZelar, a combat medic with 204th Medical Company Area Support, trains to administer a swab test for COVID-19 on May 14, 2020, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are preparing to be ready to assist in COVID-19 testing. (Minnesota National Guard photo by Sgt. Sebastian Nemec)
This testing is designed to reduce the spread by identifying those that are infected so they can be isolated. This isolation will decrease the risk of spread in these facilities of greatest concern.
For more information, contact the Minnesota National Guard public affairs office at 282-4410 or mn.ng.web@mail.mil.
– About the Minnesota National Guard –
Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 soldiers and airmen who serve in 61 communities across the state. The citizen-soldiers and airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies and contribute to local communities. For more information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.
