Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Wyoming National Guard Partners With State Lab for COVID-19 Testing

May 27, 2020 | BY JACQUELINE MARSHALL, Air Force

The Wyoming Public Health Laboratory, or WPHL, part of the Wyoming Department of Health, is collaborating with the Wyoming National Guard's 84th Civil Support Team to deploy the team's mobile laboratory to support increased COVID-19 testing capacity.

The Wyoming Guard team and the state lab have been partnering since early March, when two guardsmen joined the lab's surge team to perform COVID-19 testing.

The mobile laboratory is equipped with a rapid diagnostic testing platform that allows for more testing to be performed at the lab as well as a faster turnaround time for high-priority specimens.

Army Capt. Sarah Brewer, a nuclear medical science officer, and Army Capt. Kevin Messamer, a medical operations officer, run the mobile laboratory.

"They have been very flexible in applying their high-level skills to this particular problem and also [have] done a lot of work in cultivating and developing the partnership with the state lab and the relationships that we have with the folks there," Army Lt. Col. Jonathan Seelye, the commander of the 84th CST, said. "I'm really proud of them for doing that."

Cari Sloma, the WPHL director with the Wyoming Department of Health, said she believed the lab's staff members have really stepped up to accommodate Wyoming's COVID-19 testing needs.

"Together with partners such as the CST, our entire team has worked hard to bring on testing, expand our capacity and find ways to support the sample collection needs of health care facilities across the state," she said. "Looking ahead, we're really excited about the new testing capabilities the CST crew is helping us bring in."

To date, Brewer and Messamer have helped the lab test 788 samples. Last week, the CST team received rapid testing equipment that will increase capacity to 320 samples per week.

Seelye explained that the equipment will allow them to provide the highest level of support they can by focusing on accelerating the results of certain high-priority COVID-19 tests.

"I think we are developing and growing an already fantastic relationship with WDH," Seelye said. "I believe working with other state agencies in Wyoming has always been a pleasure. It's the Wyoming way. We roll up our sleeves, and we find a way to do what we need to do for the people of Wyoming. I'm proud that the CST can be a part of that and provide support to the state."

Seelye noted the pandemic can remind people of the importance of the state lab and the unique federal-state partnership with the Guard.

"Working together greatly benefits Wyoming during this fight to control the spread of COVID-19," he said.

(Jacqueline Marshall is assigned to Joint Force Headquarters, Wyoming National Guard.)

Michigan National Guardsmen Caring for the Caregivers

May 27, 2020 | BY Army Staff Sgt. Tegan Kucera

Veterans are special, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Michigan wants to ensure that no veterans living in Michigan veterans homes fall victim to the coronavirus.

 To this end, three soldiers are stationed on a rotating duty at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, Michigan, to screen the home's employees prior to starting their shifts.

"This way, they can identify any employees with possible COVID-19-related symptoms prior to allowing them in," said Army Master Sgt. Jason Cain, the operations noncommissioned officer for the 107th Engineer Battalion.

Cain said the directive came from the Michigan state adjutant general, and that he was tasked with the role because of his location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He was able to find three soldiers that volunteered for the chance to help the home, he added.

"It's what the Jacobetti employees needed," Cain said. "They needed to focus on taking care of the residents who live there, and this is a way our soldiers could integrate and assist with their needs."

There are 180 residents at the home with 250 employees caring for them, so a lot of employees need to be screened throughout the day. The soldiers take the staff's temperature at the front entrance and check for any other signs of the virus. Although the employees have been tested for COVID-19, this provides continual maintenance checks preventing anyone with the virus from entering the home.

"It's one of the front lines preventing anything getting into the facility," said Ron Oja, the administrator for the Jacobetti Home. "It's nice to have somebody that's designated and not a rotating position throughout the facility."

Oja said working with the guard has been a very easy experience. He noted that they've adjusted to the home's timetable and are very accommodating overall. He said the staff appreciates the familiarity of the same three soldiers being there.

"I think it's nice to have somebody that's consistent," Oja said. "They're professional, and any guidance we give is followed very well."

One of those soldiers is Army Sgt. Tyesha Johnson, a bridging specialist with the 1437th Multi-Role Bridging Company, who has been on orders since the end of March. Although not Army medics, she and the other two soldiers have kept their combat lifesaver certifications up to date. She said that what they are doing is not very complicated, but it does fill an important role.

"I would say it's important because it relieves any additional stress that the employees may have because these are very trying, hard and confusing times," Johnson said. "I think it's important to assist and make sure the employees are not coming in sick. Making sure that they're keeping up with the guidelines, so that when they're working, that's all they have to worry about and not having to worry about if that person working next to them is sick."

Johnson said the staff has been very helpful, and she finds it reassuring that the other two soldiers live close by and are willing to lend a hand if she needs any help. This has not been necessary, but it does reassure her to know her comrades are close. She has now been there for over a month and knows the staff and residents a lot better than when she initially started, she said.

"At first it was a little odd because it is a nursing home, but after awhile you get to know the staff and the people who live there," Johnson said. "It's a pretty good place to be at, and I'm glad that I got the opportunity to work there."

For several years, Johnson has had the desire to volunteer at the home when she used to live down the street from it, but she never found the time with work and school. She is happy to have finally made it over there to help.

"I'm glad that I got a chance to at least do something to give back and offer support to the community."

The front lines have moved during the pandemic, but the Michigan National Guard is still there helping to keep the staff and the veterans at the Jacobetti Home safe.

(Army Staff Sgt. Tegan Kucera is assigned to the Michigan National Guard.)

USS Kidd Transitions to Next Phase of COVID-19 Response

May 27, 2020

The guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd transitioned into the next phase of the Navy's aggressive response to the COVID-19 outbreak aboard the ship with the May 18 transfer of nearly 90 health sailors to relieve the caretaker crew that has been on the ship since its April 28 arrival in San Diego.

Prior to the transfer, the Navy re-tested the whole crew to determine which sailors would transfer back to the ship and which ones would remain in quarantine or isolation. Military health professionals will continue to monitor all crew members for symptoms.

"Our No. 1 priority is to protect the health of our force and our families," said Navy Vice Adm. Richard Brown, the commander of Naval Surface Forces. "By doing that, we also help to protect the health of our communities where we serve. Before we clear any sailor to return to the ship, they must receive two separate negative test results. We're focused on the health and safety of our sailors, and ensuring the full recovery of Kidd's crew."

Following a COVID-19 outbreak while underway, the Kidd arrived at Naval Base San Diego to receive medical care and clean and disinfect the ship. A number of sailors remained onboard to operate essential services, while other crew members and anyone who tested positive were removed from the ship to isolation or quarantine. The next phase of the recovery is another step toward ensuring the ship is safe to get underway to continue its mission.

"I want to thank the amazing team that has supported us — from Vice Admiral Brown to our most junior crew member," said Navy Cmdr. Nathan S. Wemett, the commanding officer of USS Kidd. "Everyone's resiliency and hard work is paying off, but the recovery process is not over. We must remain focused and vigilant throughout the entire process to maintain our health and readiness in order to get back to sea."

 he cleaning of the ship and care for the crew is expected to continue for about two more weeks. The Navy will test all Kidd crew members again before the ship resumes its deployment, officials said.

 (Courtesy of Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.)