{"id":97335,"date":"2020-04-22T18:49:25","date_gmt":"2020-04-22T18:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/04\/22\/latest-national-guard-coronavirus-update-troop-count-at-41600\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T10:22:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T10:22:50","slug":"latest-national-guard-coronavirus-update-troop-count-at-41600","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/coronavirus\/2020\/04\/22\/latest-national-guard-coronavirus-update-troop-count-at-41600\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest National Guard coronavirus update: Troop count at 41,600"},"content":{"rendered":"
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All 50 of the nation’s governors have declared emergencies in their states and now many are starting to activate their Air and Army National Guard to help<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

The number of Guard troops mobilized<\/a> in the effort to cope with the coronavirus pandemi<\/a>c continues to increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are more 41,600 Air and Army National Guard professionals supporting the COVID-19 crisis response at the direction of their governors as of Wednesday afternoon. That\u2019s an increase of about 2,900 from Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, 39 states, three territories and the District of Columbia have now been approved for use of federal funds for state missions under Title 32<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of Wednesday morning, 713 Guard troops had tested positive for COVID-19, according to the latest figures provided by the Pentagon. That was an increase of 31 from Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of those troops activated in the COVID-19 response, 28,700 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs states amend orders and issue new ones based on their needs this number will keep moving,\u201d he told Military Times. “Also based on response needs, as determined at the state level, some orders may remain under state active duty.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 governors. It also means that those troops \u2014 risking thier health and that of their families by being on the front lines of the coronavirus fight \u2014 receive healthcare and increased housing allowance equal to active duty and reserve troops doing the same work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was an initial catch. Only troops on 31-day orders were eligible for the increased benefits. That problem, however, was since fixed by Trump and now states are going through the process of either initiating or amending those orders to meet the 31-day requirement for increased troop benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking at a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Army Col. Eric Allely, the Maryland Army National Guard state surgeon, said that while Guard troops in his state go off those orders on May 8, efforts are underway to extend them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt may not be every soldier and airmen,\u201d he said, but one way or other we will remain on duty.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allely said that the MDNG would follow CDC guidelines for isolating troops coming off duty, but would not discuss the numbers of troops tested or testing positive for the virus, citing DoD guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to those on Title 32 orders, there are also about 10,000 Guard troops acorss the nation on State Activated Duty who are not receiving increased benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\t