CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Colorado National Guard is supporting COVID-19 testing of patients and staff at long-term care facilities in multiple Colorado communities.
Nearly 70 Colorado Army National Guard Soldiers from the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield explosive Enhanced Response Force Package, based at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, will test approximately 300 patients and staff members in Adams, Broomfield and El Paso Counties to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
“Our Colorado National Guard warriors are trained and equipped to fight the war on COVID-19,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mike Loh, Colorado adjutant general. “They are providing necessary capability and capacity to help our local and state partners to save lives in senior care facilities across our state.”
The testing was conducted April 19 at Pike Peak Center in El Paso County, April 21 at Elms Haven Center in Adams County, and scheduled April 23 at Leroy Baker Broomfield Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Broomfield County.
More than 250 Colorado National Guard members are mobilized to help the State Emergency Operations Center and the city and county of Denver shelter people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak.
About 50 Soldiers are assisting the state and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to convert the Colorado Convention Center in Denver into a 600-bed medical shelter.
The CONG is also providing planners to support local emergency operation centers in other Colorado communities the state has designated.
All CONG members have been medically screened and are on Title 32 federally funded orders under state control.
Approximately 30 Soldiers and Airmen continue to serve in their full-time roles supporting the CONG operation from Joint Force Headquarters in Centennial.