Kansas National Guardsmen mobilized in response to COVID-19 have been assisting county health departments with community based testing with mobile testing teams since April. Recently, three drive-thru testing sites were conducted by the Riley County Health Department in Manhattan, Randolph and Ogden with the support of the Guardsmen.
Maj. Jeffery Mincks, physicians’ assistant, 117th Medical Company Area Support, commended the joint efforts taking place to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“With the Guard’s participation in this direct support of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to help provide COVID testing in the state, it will assist in identifying potential outbreaks in populated communities,” Mincks said.
The Guards mobile teams collected more than 477 samples to be tested during the drive-thru test sites on Sept. 9-10. The tests were free and participants received results within 72 hours of collecting the sample.
Guardsmen mobilized for the medical teams have conducted missions to assist local and county health departments, nursing care facilities and state correctional facilities.
"We spend a lot of time training for events like this and supporting annual events within the state – these are good examples of what we work to prepare for,” said Spc. Charles Nasternak, Kansas Army National Guard Medical Detachment combat medic.
Having testing materials and staff available for communities at this time of year is vital.
“There are possibilities of outbreaks seen throughout the state, and this is one way to help prevent the spread of the virus,” Mincks said. “This is important when kids and young adults are returning to school so we can accomplish these things as safely as possible.”
Mincks said conducting tests in areas identified as potential hot spots across the state can help alleviate stress that residents may be feeling. Although they see positive tests come through, negative results can provide relief for those who come through the lines.
"As we rotate through these communities, we can alleviate some of the fears and anxieties that come with potential exposure by conducting the tests,” said Mincks
Assisting communities across Kansas is why Nasternak joined the Guard.
"This is the first time I've been activated for a state mission," said Nasternak “This is what I joined for, it’s what you think of with the Guard - helping the people of your state any way you can.”
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2020 09:14 |
| Story ID: | 378338 |
| Location: | TOPEKA, KANSAS, US |
| Hometown: | GARDNER, KANSAS, US |
| Hometown: | SALINA, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 509 |
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This work, Kansas Guardsmen provide community based testing support during COVID-19, by SFC Dakota Helvie, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
