St. Louis County Executive Sam Page updates the public about COVID-19 (coronavirus) preparedness on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. At right is Spring Schmidt, co-director of the Saint Louis County Department of Public Health.

St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page has asked for help from the Missouri National Guard as the region prepares for an escalation of the COVID-19 virus. He made the formal request to Gov. Mike Parson.

“As we prepare for the surge of this pandemic, the National Guard can play a critical role in helping us transport patients and supplies to free up our healthcare professionals to focus on treatment and care of our residents,” said Page.

He wants members of the National Guard to also aid with security at hospitals, testing sites, the county’s warehouse and at the North County Recreation Center, which has been opened to house the unsheltered. Additionally, Page says the county also needs med techs to enhance staff at triage and testing sites.

In St. Louis County, it leads the state hands down in the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus and also deaths linked to the respiratory illness. At least 1,200 have come down with COVID-19 and 15 have died so far.

According to Gov. Mike Parson’s Communications Director, Kelli Jones, the Missouri National Guard has a liaison officer assigned to St. Louis County and is currently working with the county. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is awaiting the specific request that Page’s letter states the county is working to prepare. SEMA will review the request at the time it is submitted, as it does with all requests to determine how to potentially support.

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