DVIDS – News – South Carolina National Guard exceeds 250,000 mark in support of COVID-19 tests

Columbia, SC – The South Carolina National Guard has passed the 250,000 mark in the number of COVID-19 tests performed at more than 829 mobile test sites since May 2, 2020.

The more than 268,095 COVID-19 tests supported by the South Carolina National Guard are a new milestone in the state’s effort in response to COVID-19. It is a testament to the state’s unified COVID-19 pandemic support effort led by Governor Henry McMaster.

“For more than 270 days since the mission of the mobile test site began, our soldiers and airmen have excelled in meeting the demands of our state’s COVID-19 test effort. Reaching the 250,000 mark in COVID-19 testing is a true testament to the perseverance, passion for mission and professionalism of our service members, “said US Army General Van McCarty, South Carolina’s assistant general.” This also demonstrates the strength of the ‘South Carolina Team South ‘and the great cooperation of the COVID-19 Unified Command Group of our state led by Governor Henry McMaster. The South Carolina Team is strong and we are resilient. We have been through difficult times before, and together we have won. that we will do it again. “

Since March 2020, the South Carolina National Guard has maintained an active force of just under 500 soldiers and airmen who have carried out more than 1,000 missions, aided in the COVID-19 test of more than 268,095 patients across the state, helping to provide emergency medical personnel to 10 hospitals, clinically examined 229 congregated care patients at six different congregated care facilities, conducted more than 417,000 inmate examinations at 17 different South Carolina Department of Corrections facilities, participated in 62 sanitation missions, prepared over 68,818 meals for prisoners and distributed more than 200,000 masks, 31,968 escudos and 205,825 gloves.

By order of Governor McMaster, the South Carolina National Guard was mobilized for more than 326 consecutive days in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Adjutant General is an important member of the state’s COVID-19 Unified Command Group, led by Governor Henry McMaster. The South Carolina National Guard’s Joint Operations Center has been activated in conjunction with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division for a coordinated effort. In support of several state agencies, mainly the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the South Carolina National Guard continues to provide flexible support, transferring resources as needed based on the priority of the effort.

The South Carolina National Guard remains ready to support counties, state and local agencies and first responders with resources for as long as necessary to support COVID-19’s response efforts in the state.