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WUPDH says there are enough PPE supplies in area — for now

nursingcenter.org N95 face masks have become household topics since the COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States. While initial inventories report a current adequate number in the five-county area, that could quickly change in the face of a surge.

HANCOCK — The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department said Tuesday that as of right now, healthcare systems have sufficient personal protection equipment (PPE) — for now. The WUPHD serves the 71,000 residents of Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties.

Cathryn A. Beer, health officer and administrator at WUPHD, said that the hospital and healthcare systems or adequately supplied, for now, but her department is cautious.

“Right now, the hospital and healthcare systems are okay,” said Beer, “but we haven’t seen that surge yet. So, that would be the concern when the surge planning would hit.”

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. Personal protective equipment may include items such as gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirators, or coveralls, vests and full body suits.

The main concern is for smaller facilities, such as long-term healthcare, adult foster care, and mental health, said Beer. Currently, those facilities are consuming their supplies as they normally would, but they have experienced difficulty in replenishing their stocks. Beer said that is like a warning sign that a surge may be on the horizon.

“We’re really going to run short soon if we get a surge,” she said, adding that while there is no hard evidence that a surge is coming to the area, it could hit at any time.

At this point, whether or not a surge occurs in the five-county region remains to be seen, said Beer.

“It’s going to be hard to tell,” said Beer. “I’m working on some modeling to see where we’re at. It’s really difficult to tell if we’re just going to see mild cases, or if we’re going to get that surge.”

Beer said her department has been posting educational information on its Facebook site, such as what and what not to do in grocery stores. That, she said, is a huge educational component, and it gives guidance.

“Make a list; only touch what you need; go by yourself,” she said. “Don’t take five people to the store with you. Wipe the cart and disinfect it.”

Beer said residents need to assume that CORVID-19 is already widespread in the community, which is why staying at home as much as possible, and continuing social distancing are now more important than ever.

“People aren’t always bringing it in from the outside, said Beer, we need to understand that we have it here now, and we need to be vigilant.”

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