National Guard to LaSalle and Other Veterans' Homes
Members of the Illinois National Guard have been dispatched to Veterans’ Homes in LaSalle, Quincy, and Manteno to help handle COVID-19 testing and data among staff and residents.
Governor JB Pritzker confirmed local reports Thursday that members of the Illinois National Guard had been dispatched to the LaSalle Veterans’ Home, the site where 32 veterans have died in an outbreak of COVID-19.
Pritzker confirmed guardsmen were also being dispatched to state-run veterans’ homes in Quincy and Manteno on Monday.
Pritzker says they will be “providing staff support for screening and handling testing data tracking so medical staff can focus on direct patient support.”
Pritzker also confirmed Thursday an infectious disease specialist from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been on the ground at LaSalle “following up on all pandemic and broad level concerns and protocols.”
Pritzker confirmed the Guard had been dispatched Thursday, but dismissed a question about plans for the activity earlier in the week. Pritzker admitted he was out of the loop when he made his comment.
“National Guard was asked to be of assistance before I was made aware,” Pritzker said, before apologizing for his dismissive response.
Pritzker confirmed Thursday a COVID-19 outbreak was underway at the Quincy Veterans’ Home. 61 residents are currently infected with the coronavirus out of around 300 residents. The site reported Wednesday 125 residents and staff have recovered from COVID-19.
Two residents in the Manteno Veterans’ Home in Kankakee County have died as a result of the virus, as well. Since August 21, the site reports 18 residents and 33 employees have tested positive in that facility.
No residents of the facility in Anna in southern Illinois have been infected with COVID-19.
