CENTENNIAL, Colo. – By order of Gov. Jared Polis, Colorado National Guard members reached a testing milestone this week in support of the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment amid ongoing COVID-19 testing across Colorado.
Joint Task Force-Centennial’s Task Force Test Support has tested more than 20,000 Coloradans at 122 testing sites in 28 counties and 34 cities. CDPHE has tested a total of 516,502 people in Colorado.
CONG Soldiers and Airmen have also provided CDPHE additional COVID-19 testing capability, including in support of the Colorado Department of Corrections at select correctional facilities around the state.
Nearly 50 Colorado Army and Air National members from more than 12 units are serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 response in three TFTS Mobile Testing and Training teams and a command and control element. The teams have been traveling to sites across Colorado. On duty since May 14, one mobile testing team administered tests at 103 sites in 47 days.
“It has been a privilege to serve our state and community during such a hard time,” U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brian Reynolds, TFTS operations Non-commissioned Officer-in-charge, said. “The mission that stands out to me is sending Soldiers and Airmen to test at veterans community living centers around the state and having had the opportunity to return the favor to these fellow service members who have sacrificed so much for us.”
At the request of CDPHE, CONG personnel are also receiving, assessing and processing testing kits at the CDPHE State Laboratory in Denver, Colorado.
Processing involves administrative handling and receiving, labeling, validating and preparing the kits for testing. CONG will fill a gap until civilian capacity is built.
About 120 Colorado National Guard members are on duty in the war against COVID-19.
CONG members receive daily medical screening and are on Title 32 federally funded orders under state control.
We continue to protect our force and families and all Americans, maintain our readiness and support our local, state and federal partners to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.