NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Since March 2020, the Soldiers and Airmen of the Tennessee National Guard have been working alongside and supporting the Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and other state and local agencies to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Thousands of Tennessee Guardsmen have volunteered to help during the pandemic. Over the past 17 months, 250 to 700 Guardsmen have actively supported the testing of more than 920,000 Tennesseans and the vaccination of more than 1 million people across the state.
More than 580 Soldiers and Airmen are now assisting 58 counties in Tennessee, helping with testing, vaccinations and administrative support to health care providers.
Last week, the Tennessee National Guard began staffing support to various hospitals at the request of the Tennessee Department of Health. Starting Aug. 20, the Tennessee National Guard sent 20 Guardsmen to Baptist Hospital in Memphis and two to Lafollette Healthcare in Campbell County to expand COVID-19 support. The Guard members help with administrative tasks.
The Tennessee National Guard is also providing five support personnel to Nashville’s Mid-Cumberland Regional Hospital Office to assist in the school call center.
During the pandemic, Soldiers and Airmen have established temporary testing sites in focus areas, tested vulnerable populations at long-term care facilities, county and state corrections facilities, public housing, and many other locations across the state. They established infectious disease teams that visit hospitals and alternative care centers to help develop plans and processes that prevent and decrease COVID-19 transmission in the facilities. Guardsmen have also provided administrative and medical assistance to hospitals, collected and distributed personal protective equipment, and conducted various other tasks requested through TEMA.