Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mary Junell | A North Carolina Army National Guard Soldier assigned to the 42nd Civil Support Team...... read more read more
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North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the 42nd Civil Support Team supported a drive-thru COVID-19 test site at Deep River Elementary School in Sanford, North Carolina, May 27-28, 2020.
The test site was open to the community and was a product of Lee County Emergency Management, North Carolina Health and Human Services, and Piedmont Health Services.
The Guardsmen collected about 500 samples in two days. This is the second time they have supported a COVID-19 test site; the first tested employees at a Chatham county chicken processing plant on April 23, 2020.
North Carolina Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Lee Kuberacki, one of the Guardsmen supporting the test site said the Civil Support Team uniquely adapted to this kind of work because of their background in chemical, biological, and radioactive safety, and how to operate around it.
“Additionally, we have a lot of training in sample techniques,” said Kuberacki, who serves as the team’s operations non commissioned officer. “Every one of us has had some degree of experience in taking samples of different types, be it chemical or biological.”
The Guardsmen collected the samples by rubbing a cotton swab in a circular motion just inside the opening of both nostrils of people who pulled up in their cars to be tested; unlike the previous COVID-19 test where a six-inch-long swab was inserted deep into the nasal passages.
Kuberacki, who was also recently tested using the less invasive method, said the test tickled a little, and people should not be worried about getting tested when available.
Misy Drake, the chief operating officer for Piedmont Health Services, said the North Carolina National Guard’s support made it possible for them to test more people.
“Back at our clinic we’re averaging probably 20 tests a day per site,” Drake said. “Yesterday [with the Guard] we did close to 300 tests. That’s the difference that the Guard makes in terms of just expanding outreach and being able to reach more people to get them tested.”
More than 900 NCNG Soldiers and Airmen have been activated in response to COVID-19 relief efforts to support NC Emergency Management, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, and their local communities.
| Date Taken: | 05.29.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.29.2020 16:11 |
| Story ID: | 371057 |
| Location: | SANFORD, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 216 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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