Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Thursday that he will be deploying the New Jersey National Guard to assist the state’s long-term care facilities with response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement comes amid concerns of the Omicron variant and a surge in cases of the virus around the state.
“COVID-19 is still a threat to our New Jersey communities,” Department of Military and Veteran Affairs Commissioner Brig. Gen. Lisa Hou said in a statement. “The soldiers and airmen of the New Jersey National Guard are working every day to protect public health.”
Officials say that about 150 National Guardsmen will respond to supplement staffing shortages at more than a dozen long-term care facilities around the state.
Tasks will include helping residents get to and from their bed, daily hygiene activities, meal preparations and any general assistance.
The servicemembers are undergoing training and are expected to begin working by Jan. 10.