TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Indiana National Guard members assisted the Indiana State Department of Health, the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, and Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis during their COVID-19 study at the fixed testing site at Ivy Tech Community College here April 25, through April 29.
The study was invitation-only and will help medical professionals better understand the COVID-19 virus.
“With the pandemic going on, it is important that we test as many people as possible,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Phillips, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the site.
A combination of over 50 stationary and mobile testing sites across the state supported this study.
“Having many sites throughout the state allows more patients to participate with minimal driving distance,” said Phillips.
Patients selected for the study received either a card in the mail, a text message or a phone call requesting their support. During the study, the patients received a nasal swab to test for the virus and blood draw to test for antibodies.
“We had to rewrite a lot of our standard operating procedures with the things we’ve learned from COVID-19,” said Private 1st Class Stephen Bartels, an Indiana National Guard health care specialist. “It is a good learning lesson on how to deal with something like this.”
Whether a local, national, or global mission, the Indiana National Guard always answers the call, especially in communities in which we live and work.
“This is what we are here for,” said Phillips. “It’s a different time right now, but I am glad to be in the position I’m in to do this.”
“Offering this gives a peace of mind to the people of Terre Haute and the other communities, knowing that we are here 24/7 ready to serve,” added Bartels.
As Indiana Guardsmen and women serving in the community, we are #INthistogether.
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Date Taken: | 04.29.2020 |
Date Posted: | 05.09.2020 09:59 |
Story ID: | 369585 |
Location: | TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA, US |
Web Views: | 44 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, COVID-19 Test Site, by SSgt Lonnie Wiram, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.