Between 150 and 200 National Guard members deployed in the
US capital of Washington DC to provide security in the inauguration ceremony of
President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19, Reuters reported, quoting a US official.

Reportedly, the official further stated that the number
could potentially rise, but for now was a small percentage of the total 25,000
troops deployed across the capital for the past few days.

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The National Guard said in a statement that it would not be discussing
the COVID-19 cases, adding, however, that the affected persons were following
the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

It additionally also said that a temperature check and a
screening questionnaire were conducted as the personnel arrived in the city
from their state of origin.

Thursday saw the second recurring instance of the US recording
more than 4,000 daily COVID-19 deaths. This brought the total number of lives lost in
the country close to 410,000.

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The military, on the other hand, has notified that it would
be sending about 15,000 of its troops home within the next five to ten days,
saying arrangements are being made for them to leave Washington DC.

For now, 7,000 troops are expected to remain in the capital
till the end of the month, while 5,000 are expected to stay till mid-March.