HHS will release 1.5 million N95 respirators from the Strategic National Stockpile for distribution to approximately 3,336 nursing home facilities across the United States.
The respirators, made in the U.S. by the Halyard business of Owens & Minor (NYSE:OMI), will go to select nursing homes that recently reported only enough supplies for only zero to three days of operations, according to the announcement, posted yesterday. Shipments start Aug. 28.
“President Trump and Secretary Azar remain fully committed to caring for our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, and that means ensuring nursing homes have the equipment and supplies they need to treat patients safely during the pandemic,” said Dr. Robert Kadlec, the HHS Assistant Secretary who oversees the SNS. “This additional federal supplement of N95 respirators from the SNS will immediately help those nursing homes prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep the patients they care for safe during this pandemic.”