As reported in Militarytimes.com by Howard Altman, the number of Guard troops mobilized in the effort to cope with the coronavirus pandemic continues to increase. There are more than 43,700 Air and Army National Guard professionals supporting the COVID-19 crisis response at the direction of their governors as of Friday, 24 April.
In addition, 41 states, three territories and the District of Columbia have now been approved for use of federal funds for state missions under Title 32.
As of Friday morning, 741 Guard troops had tested positive for COVID-19, according to the latest figures provided by the Pentagon. That was an increase of seven from Thursday, 23 April.
Of those troops activated in the COVID-19 response, 36,000 are currently under orders authorized for Title 32 502(f) status, said Army Master Sgt. W. Michael Houk, a spokesman for the National Guard Bureau. That’s an increase of about 900 troops since Thursday.
The status, ordered by President Donald Trump, means the federal government is picking up 100 percent of the cost, with control remaining in the hands of the governors. It also means that those troops — risking their health and that of their families by being on the front lines of the coronavirus fight — receive healthcare and increased housing allowance equal to active duty and reserve troops doing the same work.
