BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — More personal protective equipment has arrived in Massachusetts to be distributed to the state's frontline workers, according to Gov. Charlie Baker.
"Late last night, another portion of the aircraft mask shipment arrived here in Massachusetts," said Gov. Baker at a press conference Wednesday morning. "And in addition to that, FEMA notified us this morning that we'll be receiving one million pieces of personal protective equipment including 650,000 masks, and 260,000 tyvek suits."
Baker said state officials are currently counting and inspecting the inventory. Once that process is complete, MEMA will distribute the gear to frontline workers across the state.
Baker also thanked the Kraft family again for "help[ing] us bring that shipment home."
"Getting enough gear, not just here in Massachusetts, but across the country, has been a challenge," said Baker. "It will continue to be, until supply chains adjust to the new normal on this."
Gov. Baker also announced there will be three more field hospitals expected to open in the coming weeks. One is at joint base Cape Cod, which will formally launch on Monday, the second is in Lowell, and the third is in Dartmouth.
Baker said those three sites, along with the DCU Center in Worcester, and the BCEC in Boston, will hold hundreds of beds for those who need less intensive care. As of Monday, Baker said the state has 17,500 beds state-wide that are "suitable for COVID-19 treatment."
So far, Baker said the state's Coronavirus Command Center, along with state and local partners, has helped distribute over 3.7 million pieces of PPE to hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, public safety personal, local boards of health, and state agencies.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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