Members of the Washington DC national guard have tested positive for Covid-19 after being deployed during recent protests in the United States capital.

DC National Guard spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Brooke Davis said on June 9 they could not reveal the number of positive tests due to "operational security".

The infection among troops was a lingering concern as masses gathered in major cities across the country.

Footage from the capital showed the extent of mingling between all factions:

While many protesters wore masks during the unrest, not all of them did.

Many law enforcement and guard personnel also went without masks.

"National Guard personnel are social distancing and use of PPE measures remained in place where practical throughout" the deployment, Davis said.

She added that the guard were screened for Covid-19 before and after deployment.

The infections came after 1,700 members were demobilised following service during the protests that erupted in front of the White House and elsewhere.

Background

Demonstrations nation-wide have broken out over the killing of African American George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

The guard were mobilised by the mayor and then the federal government on June 1 in response to protests that turned into rioting and looting.

Covid-19 has claimed almost 112,000 lives in the U.S. since it spread from China and Europe earlier this year.

The country has registered around two million cases.

Worldwide, there are a total of 7.2 million.

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