Weekly update on Washington National Guard COVID-19 relief efforts 2105121

CAMP MURRAY, WA, UNITED STATES

05.12.2021

Story by Capt. Charlie Boisner 

122nd Theater Public Affairs Support Element

Release No. 2105121

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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 May 3-9, 2021, the follow actions happened:

• 11,338 COVID-19 vaccines were administered by Washington National Guard medical personnel
National Guard medical personnel and healthcare specialists administered 8,300 COVID-19 vaccines at the Franklin, Spokane, Chelan, and Clark county mass-vaccination sites, with five mobile teams administering 3,038 vaccines in Grays Harbor, Lewis, Thurston, Snohomish and Whatcom counties. As of May 9, over 228,253 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered by Washington National Guard medical personnel. 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.

• 669,434 pounds of food and 97,217 meals were packaged and distributed
JTF Steelhead continues to support 38 food banks and distribution centers across the state. Since April 2020, we have helped package and distribute more than 91.8 million pounds of food and over 5.6 million meals at 79 locations throughout Washington State. The Washington National Guard continues to support the Washington State Department of Agriculture and community food banks to help alleviate food insecurity caused by the effects of COVID-19.

• Eight ventilators and 97 medical beds were delivered to requesting facilities
Over the course of the week, the Washington National Guard’s medical surge team shipped 97 hospital beds to the Washing State Soldiers Home, located near Orting, to augment the facility’s ability to provide specialized care to its residents. Eight ventilators were shipped to a medical facility in Franklin county, enabling the site to effectively treat their current COVID-related admittance. Continuing their support to the Washington State Department of Health, the MedSurge team provided safe isolation and quarantine facilities to four individuals that otherwise would not have had access to such resources. As of May 9, the MedSurge team has provided logistical support and delivery of 418 ventilators and 268 hospital beds to medical and care facilities across the state.

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: 05.12.2021
• Date Posted: 05.12.2021 18:31
• Story ID: 396249
• Location: CAMP MURRAY, WA, US