Members of the Minnesota National Guard are helping with increased testing efforts across the state.

Officials say that 20 members of the National Guard received training on administering the swabs as well as some personal protective equipment.  All of the members selected are trained medical personnel, not infantry soldiers or tank mechanics.

Testing of every resident and staffer at long-term care facilities is part of statewide plan to combat the coronavirus in nursing homes, assisted living and rehabilitation centers.

Officials say about 80 percent of the state’s COVID-19 deaths have been residents of care facilities.