The Indiana National Guard is providing troops to help 18 COVID-19 study sites around the state.

State Department of Health officials were given a helping hand from soldiers and airmen at new test sites as April came to a close during the pandemic. The assist was part of an initiative by Governor Holcomb and Indiana University’s School of Public Health aimed at studying the spread of the virus around the state.

10,000 random Hoosiers from around the state were invited to take part in the study and receive testing. State agencies are confident that the data collected at the sites will help flatten the curve and defeat the virus.