Several National Guard troops deployed for protests in Washington tested positive for COVID-19, officials said Tuesday – when members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force warned governors of possible spikes in infections associated with national demonstrations.
Members of the service are among 1,300 D.C. National Guard members called to help law enforcement in response to protests against anti-police brutality in the country’s capital began on May 31, a spokesman confirmed to McClatchy DC.
He will not say how many troops have tested positive for the virus, but US officials told The Associated Press that they believe there are not many at present.
The news follows reports that two members of the Nebraska National Guard who were activated to respond to the protests in Lincoln were also positive.
About 5,000 troops are in Washington for civil unrest, with guards D.C. joined National Guards from 11 countries: Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah.
Most were not wearing masks and most were not possible to maintain social distance during demonstrations.
Several health officials – including the nation’s top infectious disease experts Anthony Fauci – Concerns that mass protests triggered by George Floyd’s death involving the police could result in a new outbreak of the virus.
Deborah Birx, Coordinator of President Trump’s Coronavirus Response, on Monday raised concerns about the increasing spread in a conference call with the governors, The Daily Beast reports.
In the call, the recording obtained by the outlet, Birx said the government was worried the protesters who shouted would negate the health benefits of wearing a mask.
He also reportedly warned that the destruction of testing sites in protest could hamper efforts to contain the pandemic, advising the governor to “fight now to ensure there is testing available in urban areas.”
Vice President Mike Pence, who hosted the call, said that the surge in infection-related protests was “a problem our team was following and there were concerns,” according to the outlet.
Despite that concern, Pence said it was “undeniable” that the country was ready to reopen, and several governors agreed.
With Post cable
