Politics & Government
Baltimore County Coronavirus: MD National Guard Help Requested
The county executive has asked the Maryland National Guard to help Baltimore County with its response to the new coronavirus.
BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Baltimore County has asked the National Guard to help with food distribution and logistical support as it responds to the new coronavirus crisis. His request comes days after the mayor of Baltimore City requested assistance from the guard for the same purposes.
"We’ve asked for the Guard’s help to support our County’s evolving response to this unprecedented pandemic," County Executive Johnny Olszewski said in a statement Monday.
Baltimore County has 35 residents who have tested positive for the new coronavirus among 288 statewide, the Maryland Department of Health reported Monday morning. A Baltimore County man in his 60s is one of three Marylanders, all of whom had underlying health conditions, who died this past week.
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"We’ll continue to work hand-in-hand with our partners across the state to provide assistance to our communities, reduce the spread of the virus, and save lives," Olszewski said about his request Monday for the state's military force to assist. "These are neighbors from our communities who are here to support us all during this uncertain time.
The guard would be staged at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, then sent to places around the county as needed, Olszewski said.
Find out what's happening in Dundalkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Maryland National Guard soldiers are already in Baltimore City, Montgomery County and Prince George's County helping to ramp up hospital and coronavirus testing sites.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan called 2,000 National Guardsmen to active duty March 16 after authorizing the activation of the guard March 12 through an executive order.
Throughout the week, guard members have been mobilizing. Officials said the process begins with a screening outside Dundalk Readiness Center to ensure they are healthy before deploying across the state to help with the response to COVID-19.
The guard assists with state-level emergencies, and its members are providing transportation as well as medical, logistical and nutritional support during the coronavirus response.
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