US military team to assist Navajo Nation hospital in New Mexico

SHIPROCK, N.M. (AP) — More than 200 U.S. military medical personnel are being deployed to eight states and the Navajo Nation to support civilian health care workers treating COVID-19 patients.

A 20-person team from the U.S. Army will support the Navajo Nation at Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock.

Lt. Gen. John R. Evans Jr., U.S. Army north commander in San Antonio, Texas, announced the deployments Friday to New Mexico, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Michigan and Texas. UNM Hospital in Albuquerque is expected to get 25 military medical personnel.

The Defense Department approved the activation at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health and Human Resources.