March 26, 2020 3:50 a.m.
Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, will distribute nearly $2 million in funding among 30 health centers across Oregon to help the coronavirus crisis.
Merkley said health care professionals in every corner of the state have been working around the clock to battle the coronavirus pandemic on the frontlines. He said that one of the most important things to support their efforts and their health, is to make sure that they have all the personal protective equipment and supplies they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. Merkley said the grants will help meet those needs and said he is going to keep fighting for more resources “to continue supporting health care workers”.
Wyden said medical staff across the state working to protect Oregonian’s health during this global pandemic, “deserve the fullest support with personal protective equipment and more”. He said while this is a good first step, much more needs to be done.
The grant awards will support emergency planning and response efforts – including but not limited to expanding COVID-19 screening and testing capacity, purchasing supplies such as personal protective equipment, and providing safety education.
In Douglas County just over $60,000 is going to Aviva Health while nearly $59,000 is going to Adapt.