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INDIANAPOLIS — The U.S. Navy will deploy a 20-person team of medical personnel to Indiana to assist IU Health Methodist Hospital.

FEMA requested the help as the military personnel includes nurses, respiratory therapists, and medical doctors, U.S. Army North said Monday in a press release.

Another 20-person team is being sent to Wisconsin to assist Bellin Hospital in Green Bay. There are 10 other teams currently working in other states — two in Colorado, three in Michigan, two in Minnesota, one in Montana, and two in New Mexico.

“Since COVID began, our military medical personnel have been committed to fighting the pandemic and supporting our local, state, and federal partners and communities in need,” said Lt. Gen. John R. Evans, Jr., U.S. Army North commander. “As we look ahead to the holiday season and 2022, we must remain vigilant in our fight, especially now as Indiana and Wisconsin are added to our supported states, and we must keep in our thoughts the service members and healthcare professionals on the front lines.”

On Tuesday afternoon, IU Health released the following statement:

“Given the strain on Indiana University Health’s team members, nurses and providers is increasing due to rising COVID and non-COVID patient hospitalizations, IU Health continues to leverage all available resources to support patient care. The United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has accepted our request to support staffing at IU Health Methodist Hospital for approximately 30 days beginning this week. The 20-person clinical team will consist of physicians, nurses, and respiratory professionals, and be integrated into medical units at IU Health Methodist in areas of greatest need. IU Health leadership continues to meet with U.S. military leadership to navigate the operations plan and ensure optimal utilization of this support team. IU Health is grateful for this support and will share more information as it becomes available.”