Ohio Shipping Protective Equipment To Nursing Homes, Jails

CLEVELAND — Ohio has obtained 4.1 million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) and is earmarking it for use in nursing homes, jails and other congregate living facilities. This is the largest single shipment of protective equipment in Ohio history.

"When this crisis began, I told you that we were going to do everything we could to ensure that those on the front line of this crisis have the personal protective equipment they need," said Gov. Mike DeWine.

Here's what Ohio is shipping out:

• 500,000 N95 masks
• 850,000 face shields
• 750,000 surgical-type masks
• 2 million non-medical gloves

The equipment will be distributed by emergency management agencies in each county. The equipment was acquired by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, JobsOhio, Ohio Department of Health, and Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

Ohio's nursing homes and jails have been hot spots for infections of COVID-19. At least 23 inmates and two jail staffers have died in Ohio prisons since the outbreak began, while several nursing homes throughout the state have reported outbreaks. Among those impacted is Main Street Care, a nursing home in Avon Lake.