A West Virginia-based charitable foundation affiliated with the WVU Health System announced it has purchased more than $1.3 million in personal protective gear for health workers across the state.
The purchase, announced Tuesday, includes 1,149,000 procedural masks, 163,025 surgical masks, 116,120 N95 respirators, 290,180 disposable gowns, 29,400 pairs of protective eyewear like goggles and glasses, and 40,000 disposable suits.
Recipients of that gear include hospitals within WVU Medicine, Monongalia EMS, Roane General Hospital, Wheeling Hospital, Princeton Community Hospital, Davis Health System, Minnie Hamilton Health System, Weirton Medical Center, Thomas Health System, Boone Memorial Hospital, and Mountain Health System.
The purchase was funded by the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust and is coordinated by WVU Health Systems.
Officials said in a press conference that the items would begin arriving at hospitals this week and all employees at those facilities would have access to the protective gear.