ARIZONA NEWS
ADOT gives N95 masks to elderly care centers amid coronavirus outbreak
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation has reallocated more than 2,600 of its N95 face masks to two state-operated assisted care facilities.
ADOT delivered 1,440 masks to the Arizona State Veteran Home in Phoenix and 1,200 masks to the Arizona Pioneers’ Home in Prescott in order to alleviate their shortage of personal protective equipment, according to a press release issued Wednesday.
“We knew there was a shortage in the medical community,” said Sonya Herrera, director of ADOT’s Administrative Services Division.
“We made these [masks] available to the other state agencies that had a more critical need.”
ADOT had purchased PPE during a prior viral outbreak and decided to reevaluate its inventory given the current shortage.
“I am beyond grateful over the support ADOT has provided us!” Jamie Suffriti, director of nursing at Arizona Pioneers’ Home, said in a letter to ADOT.
“You are helping to save lives and keep the staff and our residents safe.”
Arizona State Veteran Home and Arizona Pioneers’ Home are not alone in their need for PPE.
As the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the state, Banner Health — the state’s largest private employer — recently announced its need for 100,000 homemade to be donated for use by its staff.
Arizona Department of Health Services announced Wednesday morning an increase of 151 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the state total to 2,726 with a death toll of 80.
