LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — People getting tested for COVID-19 may now notice National Guard airmen at testing sites. It's all in an effort to start testing more people.
UNLV Medicine will work with the Nevada National Guard to expand its testing capacity after Gov. Steve Sisolak activated an additional 700 National Guard members Tuesday. The airmen will do anything from security, to checking IDs, to assisting with lab testing.
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Earlier this week, in an update to the state, Gov. Sisolak said reopening Nevada depended on three things: a vaccine, the capability to trace the virus, and more testing.
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"We all want life to go back to normal," says Dr. Michael Gardner, the CEO of UNLV Medicine. "But we understand in order to do that, we need aggressive and widespread testing."
UNLV Medicine has been conducting COVID-19 testing since March 23, and to date has tested more than 3,000 people in southern Nevada. They are now making appointments to test more members of the public who meet the CDC guidelines for testing.
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With the help of the Nevada National Guard, UNLV Medicine can go from testing 150 patients a day at the site near Charleston and Shadow, to more than 300.
Anybody showing symptoms as defined by the CDC, or who have been in direct contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, should call 702-583-4408 for an appointment to be tested.
UNLV Medicine anticipates providing curbside COVID-19 testing through May 1, or until the supply of tests is depleted.
