Governor Tony Evers and state health officials gave an update to the COVID-19 epidemic on Friday. Andrea Palm, secretary designee at the Wisconsin Department of Public Health says the state will be getting a shipment of personal protective gear from the federal strategic stockpile, but it won’t be enough to protect all health care workers from the coronavirus if there is a surge in patients.
“Globally everybody is looking for the same kinds of things to fight this epidemic,” said Palm.
Palm says the state is working with the private sector to ensure manufacturers have the means to make more personal protective equipment such as N95 masks, gloves and gowns.
State officials say first responders are among the top priority personal to get the supplies, but they didn't specify when.