Abbott: More PPE Distributed in Texas
By David Doolittle

COVID-19_0406_PPE_Update

Texas has received more personal protective equipment (PPE), including 2.5 million masks, that will be distributed throughout the state in the coming days, Gov. Greg Abbott said in a press conference Monday.

“The Texas Medical Association greatly appreciates the work that Gov. Greg Abbott has done to bring more desperately needed PPE to our state,” said TMA President David C. Fleeger, MD. “However, we urge the governor to set aside and deliver much larger quantities of PPE to community physicians, who need it to safely see our patients and keep them out of the emergency rooms. We also recommend that the Division of Emergency Management redesign the cumbersome process of requesting PPE. Currently, it is designed for hospitals and other facilities that have staff assigned specifically to procurement.”

An additional 3 million masks are expected to arrive in Texas this week, Governor Abbot said. Priority will be given to hospitals, long-term care facilities, and health care professionals – including first-responders and emergency personnel – who directly care for COVID-19 patients, he said.

In the past week, more than 1.6 million masks have been distributed, according to an update published by the state, along with more than 200,000 face shields, 2.7 million gloves, 169,000 gowns, and 7,500 coveralls.

Most of the PPE has come “primarily through entities that our new supply-chain team is working to contract with,” Governor Abbott said, without offering more details. Additional supplies have been obtained through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In addition, supplies have come in through a portal on the state website www.texas.gov, which is also where active and retired physicians can volunteer to aid in Texas’ fight against COVID-19.

Last Updated On

April 06, 2020

Originally Published On

April 06, 2020

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