AMBLER, Pa. –
Since the Pennsylvania National Guard began helping Montgomery County administer COVID-19 test kits last week, as many as 275 people have been tested each day.
At the direction of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, approximately 80 members of the Pa. National Guard continue to support Montgomery County EMA with the operation of their first mass testing site.
“There has been a lot of limitations in terms of medical facilities so far being able to test for the coronavirus both in terms of testing and the proper personal protective equipment to make sure the healthcare personnel are not exposed,” said Lt. Col. Richard Lorraine, Pa. Air National Guard. “So since we are trained in that environment we have been asked to come here to support Montgomery County and to staff the testing area.”
Montgomery County, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Pa. Emergency Management Agency and local authority have provided the site and supplies while the Pa. National Guard are providing the medical expertise.
"The PA National Guard has skilled professionals who are trained and experienced in conducting operations under challenging conditions" said Col. Frank Montgomery, the director of military support, Pa. National Guard. "We are proud to be able to share this expertise with our Commonwealth partners to help our fellow Pennsylvanians during these trying times."
The test site remains under the control of Montgomery County.
More information on the test site can be found on the Montgomery County Press Release: https://www.montcopa.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5112
B-Roll Video of test site is available at:
Soundbites: