FL Governor To Activate National Guard For Coronavirus Response

TALLAHASSEE, FL —In response to the increasing number of Florida residents being referred for testing for coronavirus, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will mobilize medical personnel in the Florida National Guard to help out in communities with medical staffing shortages.

DeSantis said the activation will take place in the next 24 hours.

"We think if we have National Guard support, they could help augment medical staff shortages, potentially could help expand testing resources and even potentially set up field medical clinics," said DeSantis during a news conference Friday.

DeSantis' declaration of a state of emergency on Monday gave him the authority to activate the Florida National Guard, if necessary.

"We're still working on the shape and scope of that (the activation)," he said. He said there are physicians, nurses and medics in the Florida National Guard who can be mobilized to areas that need more help, like Broward County where 11 people have tested positive.

More than 400 National Guard members have already been sent to seven states at the request of governors to assist emergency operations, including Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, New York, Rhode Island, California and Washington, according to the National Guard Bureau.

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The bureau announced Friday that it expects to dispatch another 600 members in the next 24 hours.

“As other states are requested to support civil authorities, those numbers will change rapidly. By the end of the day we expect that number to approach 1,000,” according to a statement released by the National Guard Bureau.

Those National Guard members will be used to train personnel on coronavirus response, prepare isolation housing, compile medical supplies, provide help with disinfection, transport medical personnel and deliver meals.

President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency on Friday is anticipated to free up more federal aid to states battling the spread of coronavirus. To date, 33 states have declared emergencies.

But DeSantis isn't waiting for federal funds. He's ordered 2,500 more coronavirus testing kits, capable of testing 625,000 people. He said Florida has purchased more testing kits than all other states combined.

Additionally, the state has certified 50 more labs so testing results can be done quicker and closer to the patients under observation. Originally, there were only four labs in the state certified to process coronavirus tests.

"We've had the capacity to meet the needs of all the people referred for tests so far," DeSantis said, adding that roughly 90 percent of the tests have been negative.

To date, Florida has had 51 positive cases. DeSantis said the "overwhelming number" of cases in Florida are linked to international travel.

"They're coming from different areas," said Florida Surgeon General Scott A. Rivkees, including Egypt, the Dominican Republic, Ireland, Italy, Belgium and Trinidad.

Source DOH

Coronavirus cases in Florida as of Friday.

"It's like the flu but slightly different," said Rivkees, noting that the incubation period may be up to 14 days. He said it usually begins with a fever followed by a dry cough and fatigue.

"I know it's frustrating to see events canceled or see some of the inconveniences...," said DeSantis. "But I think this is something we'll be able to get through."

See related stories:

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• Interactive Map: Latest US Coronavirus Cases
• Florida Governor Declares State Of Emergency Over Coronavirus