(Harrisburg, PA-LititzDailyNews.com) – Governor Tom Wolf isn’t just asking individual Pennsylvanians to do their part in slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, he wants the state’s manufacturers to actually make parts, especially for much-needed ventilators.
BRETHREN VILLAGE: TWO MORE TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
The governor is convinced that “many can rapidly produce components of ventilators,” and he’s calling on them to do so now.
BRETHREN VILLAGE REPORTS DEATH OF COVID-19+ RESIDENT, MORE INFECTED
Dr. Deborah Birx refers to charts with projected US mortality at a press conference on March 31, 2020.
The governor urged manufacturers who are producing or can pivot to producing COVID-19-related supplies to submit information through the Pennsylvania Call to Action Portal which was set up over the weekend through the Department of Community and Development (DCED) for them to report interest in taking part in supply-chain opportunities and other important manufacturing to aid during the crisis.
LANDIS HOMES RESIDENT WHO CONTRACTED COVID-19 DIES
“A surge is coming,” the governor remarked at the outset of his remarks. He described challenges the state has had in procuring equipment. “There isn’t enough supply to meet the demand,” he said.
“We cannot rely on the federal government alone to provide us with necessary equipment,” Wolf said. We must tap our own valuable resources, including our manufacturing sector, to help our healthcare workers save Pennsylvanians’ lives.”
DCED Sec. Dennis Davin visits manufacturer Versatek in Lititz, PA in 2015. File Photo by Lynn Rebuck/LititzDailyNews.com
Pennsylvania requested 1,000 ventilators from the Strategic National Stockpile but at this time the request is on hold due to the current availability of ventilators in Pennsylvania. The state has acquired and is awaiting receipt of 400 additional ventilators from a private vendor.
“Manufacturers must help us,” the governor said, stating they have a big part to play in combating the coming surge of COVID-19 cases. The portal will bring these manufacturers together to work as a team to help us get the equipment we need,” said the governor.
Tues & Fri: GET FREE GROCERIES AT CHURCH ON LITITZ PIKE CLICK FOR DETAILS
Patients who are ill with COVID-19 that require ventilators reportedly need to remain on them an average of 3 weeks, much longer than the typical 3-5 days seen before the COVID-19 outbreak across the US, according to Dr. Lorenzo Paladino, a SUNY Downstate physician interviewed by CNN in a special that aired last night. That longer duration on a ventilator is a contributing factor to the shortage, he said.
GOV. WOLF TELLS ALL PENNSYLVANIANS TO WEAR FABRIC MASKS WHEN LEAVING HOME
“We all have a part to play. Citizens have a part to play in stopping the spread every single day, health care workers who treat patients, they have a part to play, and manufacturers who must help us get the equipment we need, they have a big part to play,” said Gov. Wolf.
Follow LititzDaily on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for frequent updates to this evolving community health concern. Message us on the LititzDailyNews.com Facebook page with any news tips.
LititzDailyNews.com receives its only support from readers like you. Please support continued publication with your non-tax-deductible donation with $1 or more through the PayPal button below.
Lynn Rebuck is the editor and publisher of award-winning LititzDailyNews.com, the only independent digital news source in Lititz. Lynn is an award-winning photojournalist who was invited to the White House and has received top recognition from the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, Pennsylvania Women’s Press Association, National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and has been profiled in Editor & Publisher magazine for her unparalleled dedication to publishing LititzDailyNews.com to benefit the community.
