Weekly update on Washington National Guard COVID-19 relief efforts-2108121

CAMP MURRAY, WA, UNITED STATES

08.11.2021

Story by Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon      

122nd Theater Public Affairs Support Element

Release No. 2108121

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – In order to meet the changing needs of our state and our communities, Joint Task Force Steelhead, the Washington National Guard’s COVID-19 response force has concluded our mission in support of state and local emergency managers, marking another milestone in the fight against COVID-19.

During the week of August 2 - August 8, 2021, the follow actions happened:
• JTF Steelhead continued the planned demobilization of Washington National Guard service members.

Key Events during the week of August 2-August 8, 2021:
• At the direction of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington State Department of Health, and local authorities, JTF Steelhead have ceased all active COVID-19 response missions.

Since Gov. Jay Inslee’s emergency declaration in March of 2020, JTF Steelhead has supported 79 food banks and distribution centers across the state, providing 6.4 million meals and 98.7 million pounds of food at the request of the Washington state Department of Agriculture.

The Guard has supported the Washington State Department of Health by assembling nearly 450,000 COVID-19 testing kits--facilitating the testing of more than 75,000 people at community-based testing sites throughout Washington--and administered almost 260,000 COVID-19 vaccines. The Medical Surge team has transported 661 ventilators, delivered 525 hospital beds, and provided isolation and quarantine services to nearly 260 patients.

The Washington National Guard, and JTF Steelhead, has been proud to serve our communities by supporting the unified efforts of state and county emergency managers, during the COVID-19 response.

“Over the past year, this state's leadership has continually turned to the Washington National Guard for support. Time and again, our service members demonstrated they are a professional, capable and competent force. Countless non-standard missions were executed, each time surpassing expectations and proving we can accomplish any task if we set our minds to it.” –Col. Kevin McMahan, commanding officer of JTF Steelhead

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: 08.11.2021
• Date Posted: 08.12.2021 13:07
• Story ID: 402872
• Location: CAMP MURRAY, WA, US