THOMASVILLE — The executive director of an assisted living facility knew the National Guard was In the area and started making phone calls.

“I wanted to be able to use them if at all possible,” said Christy Ridenhower of Southern Pines.

Her efforts paid off, and 15 soldiers will clean the Covington Avenue assisted living facility. Guardsmen will perform a full, military-style cleaning of the entire facility.

Guardsmen were to arrive Thursday or Friday to conduct a survey of the campus.

“That type of cleaning is such a blessing,” said Ridenhower, who learned Thursday the Guard would perform the cleaning. “They have come at my request. We have not been mandated.”

Four Southern Pines residents in isolation in their living quarters are nearing the end of the  period required after testing positive for the coronavirus. Four other residents are hospitalized.

Of the facility’s 115 residents, eight have tested positive. Five tests were negative. Tests are conducted at Southern Pines.

Ridenhower offers community updates and educational material about the virus on the Southern Pines Facebook page at 2:30 p.m. each Tuesday.