Six teams of Texas National Guardsmen have been activated across the state to limit the spread of COVID-19 in nursing facilities, Governor Greg Abbott announced on Wednesday.

The Facilities Disinfection Teams are equipped with advanced personal protection equipment, ionized sprayers, and vital oxide. The Texas National Guard is working in coordination with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission on this special effort.

More than a third of Texas’ 1,133 coronavirus deaths have been residents of nursing homes, reports the Statesman.

“The Texas National Guard plays a crucial role in our ongoing response to COVID-19, and I am grateful for their work to address the unique challenges our nursing homes face during this pandemic,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “The training these Guardsmen have received will equip them with the knowledge and tools they need to provide this crucial assistance to these facilities.”

Photo by the Office of the Texas Governor