Coronavirus: Feds Sends NC Less Than Half Of N95 Masks Requested

NORTH CAROLINA —- North Carolina emergency officials have received truckloads of personal protective equipment for state medical workers battling novel coronavirus sent from the Strategic National Stockpile. The shipment of gear was generous with some items, but fell a bit short with others, such as the highly-coveted N95 masks that shield medical workers from liquid and airborne particles.

As of Thursday morning, there were 1,857 confirmed cases of coronavirus reported in North Carolina, according to state public health officials. The new tally represents an increase of new 273 cases in one day — the largest one-day spike for the state to date. Seven new deaths were reported as well, upping the state's death toll to 16.

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North Carolina received 48 percent of the N95 masks it requested from the stockpile, Mike Sprayberry, director of North Carolina Emergency Management, said Thursday afternoon.

North Carolina emergency officials received a third and final shipment from the national stockpile Wednesday evening, receiving a portion of the personal protective equipment items requested.

Here's what the state received, Sprayberry said:

• 48 percent of N95 masks
• 119 percent of surgical face masks
• 23 percent of face shields
• 18 percent of gowns
• 92 percent of gloves
• None of the requested bouffant head coverings, shoe covers or goggles were sent

"Our logistics and sourcing teams continue to find and buy additional personal protective equipment. Our orders so far have exceeded to $100 million, but we have received very little of that," Sprayberry said during the briefing.

Healthcare and emergency officials are bracing for what lies ahead.

The state is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to scout and locate facilities that would be suitable for housing people with COVID-19, as well as hospital overflow space, Sprayberry said.

In Charlotte, Atrium Health CEO, Gene Woods said Thursday the hospital system would begin setting up field hospitals "in a matter of weeks," The Charlotte Observer reported. According to a predictive modeling system, the hospital system expects it will need "significantly more" beds.

“We’ve opened up every single nook and cranny in our current facility to expand our bed capacity by approximately 50% to accommodate the impending increase in patients,” Woods said.

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