Gov. Little increasing National Guard response to COVID-19

BOISE (KIVI) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has authorized an increase in Idaho National Guard support from 100 to 250 personnel serving on active duty. The increase is in an effort to enhance medical capacity and COVID-19 response in the state.

Governor Little mobilized 100 National Guard personnel for 30 days almost a month ago, when the state moved back to a modified stage two of the reopening plan. Little announced Thursday that Idaho will be staying in the modified stage two. The new authorization allows Guard personnel to remain working through March 2021.

“As medical providers across the state continue to call on the Guard for assistance, this additional authorization enables our guardsmen to continue helping in the fight,” Governor Little said. “With members of the Guard performing these missions, it frees up healthcare workers to focus on providing critical patient care. We are deeply grateful for their service.”

Guard personnel has been helping at facilities across the state, including hospital and medical clinic locations, food banks and public health district facilities. They have been performing tasks like COVID-19 testing and screening, patient data entry, traffic control and facility decontamination and sanitization.