The Kansas National Guard is helping with coronavirus testing in Emporia.
Kansas Division of Emergency Management spokesperson Jane Welch says the National Guard is supporting efforts from Lyon County Public Health and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to set up mobile testing sites in town. Members of the Guard are helping with the expanded testing after Lyon County Public Health announced four clusters at production facilities and one at a church — as well as the reception of three rapid-response Abbott Laboratories testing machines and the capacity to test 500 people.
Welch and the Kansas National Guard have stressed the Guard will not have any military or law enforcement role as it helps the local and state response to COVID-19. Adjutant General David Weishaar says the National Guard is “eager to support their communities wherever they are needed, whether it is assisting with food distribution, removal of debris after a tornado, battling wildland fires or rescuing people from floods.”
Meanwhile, Welch says KDEM continues to work with KDHE and Lyon County Public Health on plans for non-congregate housing in Emporia. The tentative plan is to quarantine exposed individuals, isolate people with lab-confirmed results that do not need hospitalization or isolate presumed positive patients. There is currently no word on whether those plans have finalized.
National Guard Command Sgt. Major Steve Harmon says the Guard is serving as administrative support to KDEM and will not restrict or enforce residents who voluntarily move to the temporary housing once it’s set up.
