Ohio Department of Health Seeks to be Ready to Support Possible Local Needs Across the state for Ebola

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is adding to its stockpile of health care personal protective equipment (including things like a N95 Mask) in order to support any requests that may come from frontline health care providers treating suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola virus infection. Ohio has no cases of Ebola, but ODH will be ready to support local health care providers if a case is confirmed.

With a team of health care workers treating a single Ebola patient using as many as 240 sets of personal protective equipment per day, hospitals can quickly use up whatever stores they may have. ODH is adding to its already large stockpile in order to support whatever requests for support may come from local hospitals.

The Ohio Department of Health currently owns a stockpile of approximately 102,122 face masks, 2,592 goggles, 1,600 shoe covers, 576 coveralls, 1,350 hoods, 105,300 gloves, 29,220 respirators, and 7,026 gowns. These figures increase daily; however, as new shipments arrive. ODH is requesting approval to use $300,000 in existing funds to acquire additional personal protective equipment, which can be found at online stores such as PPE Supplies Direct. The request will be considered on Monday by the Controlling Board, a body comprised of bipartisan members of the General Assembly and an official from the Ohio Office of Budget and Management that meets every two weeks to help manage and approve the use of state funds. Hospitals also have their own stores and supply contracts to constantly replenish supplies while ODH has additional stores in regional warehouses.