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The Pentagon is hoping to eventually test 50,000 service members each week for COVID-19, with troops considered the most susceptible and most mission-critical getting first dibs.
The highest priority will be active and Reserve troops working at COVID-19 medical sites providing direct care for patients.
For Guardsmen, which number nearly 45,000 soldiers and airmen serving in every state, three territories and the District of Columbia, local medical staff will determine whether they should be tested, based on their exposure.
Other troops considered a top priority for the Pentagon are special operations and counter-terrorism units and those operating nuclear assets, such as submarines or bombers.
As testing capability expands, the Pentagon will begin testing service members currently deployed overseas before testing those in garrison, officials said. The Defense Department hopes to have its testing plan up and running by late May or early June.
“It’s important to note that testing by itself… does not enable us at this time to improve our readiness and availability,” said Gen. John Hyten, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “Testing alone does not do that.”
In addition to significantly expanding testing for the novel coronavirus, DoD is also implementing several risk mitigation strategies, including social distancing and remote work, with nearly 1 million DoD employees teleworking.
But some missions are not conducive to social distancing measures. These service members will be screened regularly and may be placed in 14- or 21-day quarantine depending on individual risk factors and potential exposure.
“Procedures like face coverings, hand-washing, maintaining clean workspaces and continuing monitoring will all still apply as the unit moves forward,” said deputy Defense secretary David Norquist.
Officials revealed the testing plan as the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus continue to rise amid the military’s ranks. As of Monday, more than 4,000 troops had been diagnosed with COVID-19, including nearly 800 Guardsmen.
