The Georgia National Guard, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health and Augusta University, is assisting COVID-19 testing facilities in response to the public health state of emergency. The guardsmen provide medical, logistical and security support for COVID-19 testing facilities located across the state.
"One way that we can alleviate suffering is to help set conditions to safely get our state on a guided path towards normalcy," said Army Maj. Gen. Thomas Carden, Georgia's adjutant general. "Testing is a function of alleviating that suffering."
More than 600 guardsmen are supporting the testing mission. As of May 12, the Georgia National Guard had assisted the Georgia Department of Public Health in testing more than 28,900 citizens statewide. Georgia guardsmen intend to test up to 2,200 citizens per day.
"We want to run out of testing kits. … We just need to get the tests out to as many people as possible to break down the barriers right now, to make it easier for folks to get a test," said Army Brig. Gen. Randall Simmons, the commander of the Georgia Army National Guard and the joint task force commander for Georgia's COVID-19 response.
The guardsmen support the testing mission by staffing specimen point of collection sites, public health department sites and mobile testing teams. Nine SPOC sites, 16 public health department sites and 30 MTTs are providing mobile testing.
MTTs test residents and employees of long-term care facilities, correctional institutions and government facilities. These teams slow the spread of COVID-19 by testing citizens who do not otherwise have the opportunity or ability to visit a testing site.
The stationary SPOC and public health department sites offer free testing on an appointment and drive-up basis. The procedure does not require any personal contact, and visitors remain in their vehicles for the entire process.