Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) said Tuesday he would deploy additional National Guard personnel to help state hospitals overwhelmed by recent rises in COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated communities.
The move comes just two months after the Republican governor announced a timetable for drafting the state National Guard’s COVID-19 working group, as the situation had begun to improve.
However, Little said Tuesday that “almost all Idaho hospitals are overflowing with unvaccinated COVID-19 patients, ”adding that there are currently only four adult ICU beds across the state.
“We’re dangerously close to activating statewide crisis care standards: a historic step that means Idahoans in need of health care could receive a lower level of care or be left out.” said Little. “In essence, someone should decide who can be treated and who can’t.”
“This affects us all, not just the patients with COVID-19,” he added.
As part of the order on Tuesday, up to 370 troops will be deployed across the state, including up to 150 guards to “support medical facilities with little personality.”
In addition, 200 medical and administrative personnel will be available through a contract with the U.S. General Services Administration and a 20-person Department of Defense medical response team will be sent to Northern Idaho, which has reported rates of lowest vaccinations in the state.
As of Tuesday, only 44 percent of Idaho’s total population has received at least one dose, with only 39 percent fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Little said in a statement that Idaho’s health care system “is not designed to withstand the prolonged stress caused by an unrestricted global pandemic.”
“It’s just not sustainable,” he added. “Select to receive the vaccine now to support your fellow Idahoans who need you.”