Governor DeSantis Requests Direct Federal Assistance for Resources to Fight COVID-19

By Isabella Sorresso
hand sanitizer

Governor Ron DeSantis and Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz requested federal resources on March 17 to help Florida combat COVID-19. According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the following supplies were requested through Direct Federal Assistance:

  • 5 mobile intensive care units
  • 5,000 ventilators
  • 5,000 hospital beds
  • 50,000 two oz. bottles of hand sanitizer
  • 250,000 coveralls
  • 500,000 gloves
  • 500,000 gowns
  • 500,000 collection kits
  • 100,000 16 oz. bottles of hand sanitizers
  • 150,000 Personal Protective Equipment kits, including coveralls, gowns, and goggles   
  • 2 million N95 face masks

“Supplies are being delivered on a rolling basis, and inventory is being distributed throughout the state 24 hours a day,” according to the FDEM.

In the same statement about the request for resources, it was also announced that three field hospitals are being deployed. 

According to the FDEM: 

  • One field hospital is currently staged in Orlando and can be deployed to other areas in the state as needed.
  • One field hospital is on its way to Broward County and will be set up there.
  • One field hospital is on its way to Ocala and will be staged there and deployed to other areas as needed.

“Director Moskowitz is also working with the federal government to determine if there is capacity to add US Navy Mercy-Class ships at Florida ports. Mobile COVID-19 testing is also being implemented, and the National Guard is deployed in Broward County and on standby to assist throughout the state as necessary,” according to the FDEM.

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