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Cal Guard assists rapid assessment clinic for COVID-19

By Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hill | California National GuardMay 1, 2020

Cal Guard assists rapid assessment clinic for COVID-19
U.S. Army Spc. Jason Prieto, a combat medic with the California Army National Guard’s 315th Vertical Construction Company assesses a patient at the walk-up medical clinic at Long Beach City College’s Pacific Coast Campus, Long Beach, California, on April 17, 2020. The California National Guard members are aiding the city of Long Beach with operations of the RAC for COVID-19 response. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hill) VIEW ORIGINAL

LONG BEACH, Calif. – California Army National Guard Soldiers are assisting a rapid assessment clinic (RAC) at Long Beach City College Pacific Coast Campus to aid in COVID-19 response.

“Our mission at the RAC is to assist city health department personnel in operating and supporting a drive-through COVID-19 test site, where the goal is to administer 100 tests daily. Additionally, there is a walk-up clinic aiming to provide much-needed relief to local hospitals during this situation,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Yasin Naser, the officer in charge of the RAC team.

The 10 Soldiers, with the 315th Vertical Construction Company and the 250th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion based out of Long Beach and Moreno Valley, are directing traffic, aiding doctors and nurses, verifying appointments, and explaining testing and scheduling procedures to local patients. The task force also includes two medics assisting the walk-in clinic, responsible for screening patients.

“Having the Guard, especially the two that have supported our RAC efforts, has been so amazing, we are so grateful for their humanitarian work and appreciate the support during the COVID-19 efforts,” said Alice Castellanos, the Long Beach medical reserve coordinator.

The Soldiers with the task force were activated for COVID-19 response in late March, with many assisting the Find Food Bank in Indio before their assignment at the RAC in Long Beach.

While COVID-19 has forced most of the country to shelter in place, Cal Guard members called to duty like the RAC task force are mitigating their risk with proper protective equipment like masks, gloves, and medical gowns, so they can continue to aid their local communities in their time of need, said Hodges.

For more National Guard news: http://www.nationalguard.mil/

National Guard Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNationalGuard/

National Guard Twitter: https://twitter.com/usnationalguard

How the National Guard is helping: https://www.nationalguard.mil/coronavirus/

Photos of the National Guard response: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thenationalguard/albums/72157713483827538

Latest from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/

U.S. response: https://www.coronavirus.gov/

White House-CDC response: https://www.coronavirus.gov/

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