NEVADA (KTNV) — The Nevada National Guard will remain on duty for the remainder of 2020 in support of the state’s COVID-19 response.
The extension of the National Guard through Dec. 31 will provide personnel for community-based testing, contact tracing, laboratory and logistical support operations, food distribution, and staff in the state emergency operations center, according to the Nevada governor's office.
Gov. Sisolak responds to President Trump's recommendation to deploy National Guard
President Donald Trump authorized the extension of the National Guard in many states across the nation on Monday. Funding will be split at 25 percent state funds and 75 percent from federal accounts.
The Nevada National Guard will remain under the control of Gov. Steve Sisolak.
“Our Soldiers and Airmen have played a vital role in Nevada's response to COVID-19 and this extension enables us to continue to take aggressive action to maintain testing sites, stage and distribute medical supplies, and position the State to transition to a regional reopening of the economy,” Gov. Sisolak said. “While I am grateful for the extension, the decision to federally fund Guard activities at 75 percent leaves Nevada and other states with an additional cost at a time when Nevada’s budget has been decimated due to COVID-19. As Governor, I will continue to advocate to bring in more federal funds to help Nevada’s ongoing response efforts.”
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The number of on-duty National Guard soldiers in Nevada for the state’s pandemic response was 1,151 on April 24. This was the largest state activation in history, according to the governor's office. The Nevada Guard includes about 4,400 soldiers and airmen.
The National Guard was activated for a COVID-19 response in April with federal funds following the president’s major disaster declaration for the state of Nevada.
A look at the tasks and duties of the Nevada National Guard
Since April, the Nevada National Guard has established four ongoing community-based sample collection sites and staffed 24 mobile sample collection teams around rural Nevada, according to the governor's office. Ten of the mobile teams traveled to Native American communities throughout the state.
Soldiers and airmen also maintained the state’s strategic stockpile and warehouses in Northern and Southern Nevada.
