Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Connecticut Guard, Uruguay share COVID-19 best practices By Timothy
                Connecticut National Guard
 HARTFORD, Conn. – The Connecticut National Guard hosted a  video conference with military partners in Uruguay, its State Partnership Program counterpart, to share ways to limit the spread of COVID-19. The April 9 video chat was the first of its kind for the Southern Command area of responsibility. Maj. Pedro Concolino, director of the Connecticut National Guard's State Partnership Program, said Uruguay is about 16 days behind Connecticut in terms of the virus progression. The virtual meeting allowed both parties to look at the problem in a new way and continue to build upon their 20-year partnership. "We don't stop being partners just because we're wrapped up in our own stuff," said Concolino. "I think this exchange shows the extent to which both countries take it seriously. We both took time out of our schedule during a pandemic to talk to each other and share notes to try and potentially save some lives." The call was put together by U.S. Army Capt. Rebecca Rojas, the bilateral affairs officer at the U.S. embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay. Rojas is a Connecticut National Guard Soldier who, on top of working as a liaison between Connecticut and Uruguay, also serves as the liaison for the U.S. Southern Command Traditional Commander Activities Program and U.S. Army South. Also on the call was Karina Rando, the head of the COVID-19 task force for the Uruguayan Ministry of Public Health, Uruguayan Colonel Antonio Nunes, the military liaison to SINAE – the Uruguayan equivalent of the Federal Emergency Management Agency – and Connecticut National Guard Brig. Gen. Ralph Hedenberg, dual-status commander for Connecticut's COVID-19 response. Many of the strategies Uruguay has adopted to prevent the spread of the deadly virus have mimicked what the U.S. and other countries around the world have done, from closing schools and non-essential businesses to suggesting the use of masks when social distancing cannot be implemented and canceling public social activities, according to Rando, who is a doctor and a captain in the Uruguayan army. Because COVID-19 cases began to appear in Uruguay later than much of the world, their task force has been able to monitor what other countries have been doing and using that to form their response before the viral infection becomes widespread. But, as a small country with limited exposure to the virus, they've been limited in data gathering and acquisition of essential supplies such as ventilators and test kits. The Uruguayans have adapted their procedures to make do with what they have until more supplies become available. Through this call, and the willingness to share information, both parties were able to reflect on their own best practices. One important topic was the management of testing kits. "We both have very restrictive access to COVID-19 test kits," said Concolino. "Something I thought was very interesting that the Uruguayans were doing is they're isolating presumed positives before they test them." Concolino explained that rather than having someone with symptoms of COVID-19 go to the hospital or a drive-thru test site, the government will shelter them in place for seven days before administering the test. This has nearly eliminated the possibility of false-negative tests and the need to retest someone. Representatives from the Connecticut National Guard offered their own best practices, particularly with logistics and deployment of ventilators. Connecticut has been able to acquire ventilators from numerous locally sourced vendors, including the strategic national stockpile and manufacturers. As a small country, Uruguay has few options for procuring this equipment and can't manufacture new ventilators or replacement parts for existing equipment. "We're waiting for the crisis," said Rando. He noted that 30 percent of Uruguay's intensive care unit beds are empty, but they've already increased bed space by another 30 percent. However, the most challenging issue remains the inability to get replacement parts to fix the ventilators they do have. "This call provided an opportunity for Uruguay to discuss their problems and for us to provide a few solutions the U.S. has been using to overcome those same problems," said Concolino. Another area of discussion was modeling the spread of the virus. "The Uruguayans put together their own model for the spread of COVID-19," said Concolino. "But after some discussion, we offered to input their data into a model put out by Cornell University." With this data, the Uruguayan government will have a better idea of how the virus spreads and which areas of their country will be more affected. Above all else, the teleconference provided the U.S. and Uruguay the option to share data and ideas and to help spur innovation to stem the spread of a pandemic. The Connecticut National Guard intends to maintain close contact with Uruguay to continue to build upon their strategic relationship during and after the pandemic. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relationships for over 25 years and now includes 78 partnerships with 84 nations around the globe. SPP links a unique component of the Department of Defense – a state's National Guard – with the armed forces or equivalent of a partner country in a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 How the National Guard is helping
  Photos of the National Guard response
  The latest from the CDC
  U.S. response
  White House-CDC response
 COVID-19
 Connecticut National Guard
 SPP
 Uruguay
 
 NY National Guard Wraps up Federally Funded COVID-19 Mission
 By Eric Durr,
  Vermont National Guard Concludes COVID-19 Missions
 By Capt. Mikel Arcovitch,
  Wisconsin National Guard wraps up nursing care support
 By Maj. Joe Trovato,
  More
 Wisconsin Guard Black Hawk Unit Conducts Mass Casualty Exercise Guard News • 5 hours ago
 NC Guard Unit Tests NextGen Squad Weapons Guard News • 23 hours ago
 Georgia 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Conducts Annual Training Guard News • yesterday
 Former Colorado TAG Retires as Air National Guard Director Guard News • yesterday
 Idaho National Guard Opens Child Care Center Guard News • 2 days ago
 2024 (184)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil