The Hawaiʻi National Guard’s Joint Task Force will be providing COVID-19 support to the state and counties through December.
President Joe Biden approved Gov. David Ige’s request to extend the task force’s mission, which was originally set to end in September.
The request comes as the delta variant continues to spread, causing a surge in positive case counts in the state.
State officials Wednesday reported 625 new COVID-19 cases and eight COVID-related deaths.
The task force supports state agencies with airport passenger thermal screenings, administering rapid swab tests and vaccines, as well as public health outreach in at-risk communities.
Roughly 550 soldiers and airmen are assigned to the task force.
