Coronavirus: Mississippi National Guard assists with COVID-19 testing

The Mississippi National Guard is working with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the state Department of Health and the University of Mississippi Medical Center to assist with COVID-19 testing efforts statewide.

Recently, about 25 members of the Guard's 186th Air Refueling Wing and the 47th Civil Support Team from Key Field National Guard Base assisted at Bonita Lakes Mall in Meridian. The Bonita Lakes testing site is a single-lane testing facility capable of testing about 100 patients a day.

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The 47th Civil Support Team is Mississippi's full-time response team for emergencies that involve anything from weapons of mass destruction to toxic industrial chemicals.  

"We are here to help any way that we can," said Senior Master Sgt. Chris Dickerson, 186th Air Refueling Wing Installation emergency manager. "We're working hard to get as many people tested as quickly and safely as possible." 

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Wayne Vaughn, state Department of Health Operations Chief of COVID-19 Response, said: "What we are trying to do is aggressively locate the COVID-19 virus in as many patients as possible to help slow the spread of this disease and ultimately shut it down." 

Using the skills learned through their careers in the Air National Guard, airmen from Key Field are able to assist with anything from generator maintenance and repair, patient check-in, traffic logistics, and administering the COVID-19 tests to patients.

"Our job is to advise and assist the state Department of Health, to train team members on the proper personal protective equipment procedures, and to ensure everyone remains protected while in close contact with patients," said Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Yow, a non-commissioned officer with the 47th Civil Support Team Decontamination unit.

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Each tester is equipped with a powered, air-purifying respirator mask, a disposable isolation gown and multiple layers of disposable protective gloves.

Each team member also received individual training on proper personal protective equipment and test kit protective measures, as well as proper hazardous material decontamination and disposal.        

"During this great time of need in our world, nation and state, the men and women of Key Field Air National Guard Base continue to amaze me," said Col.  Ed Evans, commander of Key Field Air National Guard Base. "We are fully committed to keeping people safe and healthy while providing support to the state, partner agencies and to first responders."

Contact Ellen Ciurczak at eciurczak@gannett.com. Follow @educellen on Twitter.