Idaho activates National Guard amid COVID-19 surge

Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Idaho Gov. Brad Little has again activated the National Guard as part of a plan to infuse short-staffed medical facilities with workers amid spiking cases in the state that have strained its healthcare system.

The Republican governor announced Tuesday up to 370 additional personnel will be deployed to hospitals, including 150 guardsmen tasked with logistical support and another 200 medical and administrative workers made available through a contract with the U.S. General Services Administration.

A 20-person Department of Defense medical response team will also be deployed to northern Idaho where vaccination rates are among the lowest in the state, his office said in a statement.

In a recorded announcement, Little said he had toured a nearly full ICU in Boise and all COVID-19 patients were unvaccinated and struggling to breath with most being assisted by machines.

Read more: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/09/01/Idaho-activates-National-Guard-amid-COVID-19-surge/2251630484925/