April 21, 2020 4:15 a.m.
On Monday Governor Kate Brown announced that members of the Oregon National Guard are distributing approximately 395,000 pieces of personal protective equipment to all long-term care facilities across Oregon.
A release said the rapid distribution of masks, gloves, and face shields is aimed to immediately supplement efforts by the Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority to support facilities by helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 to residents and staff.
Brown said “the staff of Oregon’s long-term care facilities are on the front lines of our fight against COVID-19 and I am committed to protecting their health and safety”. She said the critical equipment will help protect them and the residents of the facilities, who are among the most at-risk Oregonians for exposure and infection.
Brown said the state will continue to prioritize securing more PPE, including working with local manufacturers and the federal government to procure additional resources.
The shipments of PPE include approximately 177,000 surgical masks, 127,000 gloves, 55,000 N95 masks, 33,000 face shields, and 2,500 gowns. Members of the National Guard began deliveries of the equipment on Saturday.