The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $3 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse Winchester Hospital for the cost of paying for equipment and supplies needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $3,061,196 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the non-profit community hospital affiliated with Beth Israel Lahey Health for the cost of purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies needed to respond to the surge of COVID patients.
In addition to PPE such as N95 masks, face shields, gowns, medical glove, shoe covers and coveralls, the hospital also purchased cleaning and disinfection supplies, and medical supplies like IV kits, thermometers, and laboratory supplies.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Winchester Hospital with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county, and municipal governments – as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities – for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.
So far, FEMA has provided more than $2.8 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.