EL PASO, Texas — The Texas National Guard has sent a 36-member team to El Paso to assist morgues in the border region with the number of dead as a result of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
Statewide, the Texas health department on Saturday reported a one-day high of 12,597 new virus cases, nearly 20,500 dead and more than 8,200 virus hospitalizations.
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The White House authorized the missions to continue until Dec. 31 after governors asked for more help.
“The Texas military will provide us with the critical personnel to carry out our fatality management plan and we are very grateful to them for their ongoing support,” El Paso Mayor Dee Margo said in late Friday when the deployment was announced.
The pandemic is blamed for more 300 deaths in El Paso County since October, 853 total since the pandemic began.
Jail inmates are being paid to move bodies and county leaders are offering $27 an hour for morgue workers.
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The 67 volunteer soldiers will be assisting officers at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge with duties such as distributing mail and meals.
County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, in a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott asking for support for a 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew in the county, said mortuaries are being overwhelmed.
“As of (Friday), our Medical Examiner’s Office is reporting that 234 fatalities are being held at our main morgue and at our nine mobile morgues,” Samaniego wrote.
Up to 40,000 Army National Guard soldiers haven't yet gotten the mandated COVID-19 vaccine.
Democrats rejected proposals to reinstate troops already kicked out and dismiss the Defense Secretary for requiring the shots.
Emergency powers given to VA leaders amid the coronavirus pandemic expired earlier this month.
A spike in Covid-19 cases at the start of the year delayed some efforts to get more veterans into homes.
Public attendance at ceremonies had been limited the last two years by the coronavirus pandemic.
"It was clear from the onset and confirmed throughout our visit that volunteers played a critical role in the defense of Kyiv, yet their role has not been systematically studied."
President Joe Biden is bestowing the nation’s highest military honor to four Army soldiers for their heroism above and beyond the call of duty during the Vietnam War.
Putin has declared victory in the eastern Ukraine region of Luhansk, but the high cost of Russian gains may limit a new advance.
The last remaining Medal of Honor recipient from World War II will lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol.
Sunday’s statement comes as North Korea’s neighbors say the country is ready for its first nuclear test in five years
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