CASPER, Wyo. — Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon’s office announced on Tuesday, September 21 that the governor has activated the Wyoming National Guard to help provide assistance to hospitals dealing with a surge in COVID-19 patients.
Hospitalizations in Wyoming climbed above 200 again on Monday after four days below the 200 mark, according to Wyoming Department of Health data. The 202 COVID-19 patients on Monday were still shy of the most recent peak of 233 patients in Wyoming hospitals seen on September 8.
The governor has called on about 95 Wyoming National Guard soldiers and air service members to state active duty orders. They have been assigned to hospital locations at 24 different locations in 17 Wyoming cities.
“They will serve to augment current hospital and Wyoming Department of Health staff to help ease workloads imposed upon them due to large numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations,” Gordon’s office said.
Responsibilities of guard members will include:
- Assisting in environmental cleanup in hospital facilities
- Food and nutrition service
- COVID-19 screening
- Managing personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies
- Other support tasks
Some guard members will also be trained to administer COVID-19 tests
Members of the Wyoming National Guard called to duty will serve 14-30 day rotations with the possibility their orders will be extended up until December 31. The numbers could change based on hospital needs.
“I am grateful to the members of our Wyoming National Guard for once again answering the call to provide assistance in our hospitals during this surge,” Gordon said in a press release. “Our Guard members truly are Wyoming’s sword and shield, and their commitment to our state is something for which every Wyoming citizen can be thankful.”
Wyoming National Guard Director of Joint Staff Colonel David Pritchett added: “The Delta variant has overwhelmed the medical institutions of states across this country. Our state is no different with most hospitals at or near capacity. The Soldiers and Airmen of the Wyoming National Guard are proud to jump back in to provide much needed assistance to our communities as we continue to battle the effects of COVID-19.”
