TRENTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced the state's National Guard will deploy to long-term care facilities to assist with its COVID-19 response efforts and boost facility staffing.
Murphy's office said around 150 soldiers and airmen of the New Jersey National Guard are preparing to support staffing requirements at more than a dozen long-term facilities around the state.
Members are currently training and are expected to start their efforts Monday.
Tasks that members of the National Guard will take up include:
• Assist residents with getting from bed to chair, walking
• Assistance in dressing and daily hygiene activities
• Meal set-up and feeding
• Routine assistance
• Testing and screening staff, residents, and visitors
"Time and time again, the New Jersey National Guard has stepped up to the plate throughout this pandemic," Murphy said.
He added, "This deployment will send members of our National Guard to long-term care facilities with staffing needs and will act to protect the health and safety of long-term-care residents while the omicron variant surges throughout the nation."
The move comes as the state had over 27,000 positive tests on Thursday, up 64% from a week ago and 766% since last month. 503 long term-care facilities currently have outbreaks, state COVID-19 data shows.
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