Ohio Details How Much Protective Equipment It Has For Doctors

COLUMBUS, OH — Like every state in the U.S., Ohio officials are competing to acquire personal protective equipment to shield doctors, nurses and front line medical workers from the new coronavirus, COVID-19. This week, the state detailed how much protective equipment it has received from the federal government.

State officials, like Gov. Mike DeWine Dr. Amy Acton, have warned of an impending "surge" in COVID-19 cases. Acton, the director of the state health department, said the increase in cases will strain Ohio's hospital systems and drain reserves of protective equipment for medical staff.

To try and bolster the state's reserves, Ohio officials requested protective equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile. Here's what the stockpile sent to Ohio:

• Gowns — 107,670
• Coveralls — 552
• Gloves — 493,575
• Face shields — 131,808
• Surgical masks — 672,100
• N95 masks — 271,450

“The supplies we received, and the state’s reserve will not meet the immediate or future needs of Ohio’s healthcare providers and first responders,” said Acton. “This shortage is why our message has been to conserve. Industries with PPE are encouraged to donate what they have to their local Emergency Management Agencies.”

According to the state health department, the following equipment must be used to aid a single patient during one 24 hour shift in intensive care:

• Gowns — 14
• Gloves — 36
• N95 masks — 13

Ohio currently has more than 2,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. On Tuesday afternoon, the Ohio Department of Health said 585 people were hospitalized because of the virus, and 198 Ohioans were in intensive care.