Thousands of personal protective equipment items were given out Thursday afternoon at Conemaugh East Hills.
The recipients: 41 local EMS providers and fire departments in six counties throughout the Southern Alleghenies.
Storm Nagle, Prehospital Manager at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, said the EMS agencies were allotted a certain quantity of supplies based on their specific needs.
“Over the last year during the pandemic, our EMS providers have been the front-line workers. This is just a small token of appreciation for everything that they’ve done,” Nagle said.
Highmark Health donated the PPE through a grant, partnering with Allegheny Health Network and Conemaugh Health System to organize the distribution.
“There are isolation gowns, N95 masks, surgical masks, and face shields that they would use when they assist patients,” Nagle said.
In total, over 55,600 KN95 face masks, 116,000 disposable face masks, 8,200 face shields, and 36,500 surgical gowns were distributed during the event.
It’s a reminder that the pandemic isn’t over yet.
As of Thursday at noon, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 5,060 new coronavirus cases in PA, bringing the statewide total to 1,092,852 since the beginning of the pandemic.
State health officials also reported 44 more coronavirus-related deaths Thursday, bringing Pennsylvania’s death toll to 25,566.
By protecting first responders with this PPE, Nagle said it can help stop the spread of the virus in our communities as a whole.
“We hope with the supplies that the EMS and fire departments will have the adequate equipment to keep them safe, and in the long, run keep our patients and our community safe,”
