By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The City of New Orleans Health Department has reported 1480 coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 cases to date, including 86 deaths.

On Saturday, the City of New Orleans launched a week-long personal protective equipment (PPE) drive for first responders, who are in desperate need of additional PPE.

Image by USA-Reiseblogger from Pixabay

“Our firefighters, police, and especially Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel are on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis in New Orleans,” said New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Collin Arnold. “Like many places around the world, orders of PPE equipment made back in November 2019 have yet to be filled and our supply is running low. Any additional equipment the public can donate at this time will help keep our first responders safe and out on the streets.”

Individuals or businesses in the New Orleans region who have PPE and are willing to spare it for a first responder are asked to drop items at one of three re-purposed Salvation Army drop boxes adjacent to New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) firehouses. Businesses that may have these items in their inventory include construction companies, non-emergency medical providers like dentist offices, tattoo parlors, nail salons and spas, restaurants, and housekeeping companies. For donations larger than what could fit in a drop box, please contact [email protected].

Dropbox locations include:

  • Engine house 16: 2000 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
  • Engine house 21: 3940 Paris Ave.
  • Engine house 27: 2118 Elysian Fields Ave.

Items accepted include unused, unopened:

  • Masks (surgical, P100, N95)
  • Gloves (latex or nitrile)
  • Disposable Medical Gowns
  • Goggles
  • Face Shields

Please wrap items in a plastic bag before dropping in the box. Do not drop items such as clothing or household goods, which could damage the PPE already in the box and render it unusable. Do not drop PPE in any other Salvation Army box. The three PPE donation boxes are clearly labeled for PPE.

Donations will be collected from the drop boxes regularly by the NOFD and will be inventoried for use by EMS. The PPE donation drive will begin today and will last through Sunday, Apr. 5 or until further notice.

Statewide, Louisiana has reported 4025 cases and 185 deaths.