NJ Gov. Murphy deploys 120 National Guard troops to long-term care facilities hit by COVID-19

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced Thursday that 120 National Guard troops would be deployed to aid long-term care facilities with reported outbreaks of COVID-19.

New Jersey has reported 4,556 deaths from COVID-19 in long-term care facilities, with almost 25,000 cases stemming from facilities throughout the state, according to NJ.com. COVID-19 has been reported in 508 of the state’s 670 long-term care facilities.

“We don’t take this step lightly, but we take it knowing that the crisis in our long-term care facilities requires us to take it,” Murphy said during a press briefing Thursday.

NEW: I’ve directed the @NJNationalGuard to deploy its members to long-term care facilities beginning this coming weekend to assist in our #COVID19 mitigation efforts.

We don’t take this step lightly, but the crisis in our long-term care facilities requires us to take it.

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 7, 2020

Murphy announced one day earlier that the state hired a team of public health experts to restructure regulations in New Jersey’s long-term care facilities to ensure proper treatment of residents.

NEW: We’re bringing on a nationally experienced team of experts to help us tackle the challenges at our long-term care facilities, and protect the residents and staff at these facilities.

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 6, 2020

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said that at least 22 service members would be deployed at Andover Subacute and Rehab Center II, which had 17 bodies stored in a temporary morgue last month.

Guard members will assist nurses, clean facilities, cook and help with logistical duties, Persichilli said, adding that all tasks performed would be “non-clinical.”

Murphy previously deployed Guard members to long-term care facilities for veterans in Paramus following a spike in reported outbreaks.