Weekly update on Washington National Guard COVID-19 relief efforts-2104211

CAMP MURRAY, WA, UNITED STATES

04.21.2021

Story by Capt. Charlie Boisner 

122nd Theater Public Affairs Support Element

April 21st, 2021
Release No. 2104211
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Weekly update on Washington National Guard COVID-19 relief efforts

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. -- Joint Task Force Steelhead, the Washington National Guard’s COVID-19 response force, continues to serve Washington communities by providing personnel and support to vaccination sites, food distribution centers, assisting medical operations, and other relief efforts across the state of Washington.

The Washington National Guard's JTF Steelhead continues to support state and county emergency managers in their unified efforts during the COVID-19 response.

During the Week of April 12 – April 18, 2021, the follow actions happened:

• 19,760 vaccines were administered by Washington National Guard medical personnel
Guard medical and support personnel administered 16,229 COVID-19 vaccines at the Kennewick, Spokane, Ridgefield, and Wenatchee mass-vaccination sites. JTF Steelhead’s three mobile vaccination teams traveled to assisted living and senior centers in Thurston, Spokane, and Whatcom counties, administering 3,531 vaccines to those who may have difficulty commuting to a vaccination clinic. As of April 18, over 187,600 vaccines have been administered by the Washington National Guard. We continue to work in support, and at the direction, of the Washington State Department of Health to ensure that every person that wants a vaccine has access to a vaccine.

• 809,852 pounds of food and 114,179 meals were packaged and distributed
JTF Steelhead continues to support 39 food banks and distribution centers across the state. Since April 2020, we have helped package and distribute more than 89 million pounds of food.

• 73 ventilators and parts were transported across the state to agencies needing additional support
The Guard’s medical surge team successfully coordinated and transported 73 ventilators and parts to requesting emergency medical services and medical facilities in five counties. 28 individuals, who would not otherwise have had access to safe facilities, were provided isolation and quarantine housing to limit the spread of COVID-19. Seven hospital beds were transported and delivered to several medical facilities across the state to augment hospital's increased occupancy rates due to COVID-19. The National Guard’s medical surge team continues to support the Department of Health and county health districts in their COVID-19 response.

Key events, week of April 12-18, 2021:

The Washington National Guard’s medical surge team assisted in providing safe isolation and quarantine facilities to a 21-person cargo ship crew inbound from the Philippines, April 12. Due to confirmed COVID-19 cases onboard, the crew was transported to a Department of Health facility in Tumwater to allow a new crew to continue the ship’s voyage into Canada. While at the Tumwater facility, the crew were housed in quarantine rooms, while those with confirmed cases were provided medical treatment and care. As members of the crew were medically cleared to leave isolation and quarantine, they were provided transport to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to fly back to the Philippines.

For additional questions please contact the JTF Steelhead Public Affairs Office at [e-mail] or call 253-512-4861.

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• Date Taken: 04.21.2021
• Date Posted: 04.21.2021 19:08
• Story ID: 394399
• Location: CAMP MURRAY, WA, US