Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity donates 7,500 respirator masks to area hospitals

Respirator masks typically used on Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity sites will now go to medical personnel at area hospitals.

According to a release from Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit is donating 7,500 masks as those at Hennepin Healthcare and M Health Fairview fight novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Respirator masks are helping medical personnel protect against the spread of COVID-19.

"When I learned of the need for the masks by doctors, nurses and other health care professionals, I remembered our supply and I thought it would be a way for Habitat to help out as the community fights the virus," Pete Kennelly, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s warehouse manager, said in a statement.

The CDC suggests original COVID-19 cases might have been passed from animals to people, with person-to-person spread occurring later.

According to the CDC, patients with confirmed COVID-19 have mild to severe respiratory problems, with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. Some patients report having muscle aches, headache, sore throat, and/or diarrhea.

The CDC adds COVID-19 can spread "easily and sustainably in the community," meaning it is contagious.

KSTP’s complete COVID-19 coverage