Hennepin County creates drop off locations for COVID-19 priority items needed to protect workers
In this March 17, 2020, photo, Theresa Malijan, a registered nurse, has hand sanitizer applied on her hands after removing her gloves after she took a nasopharyngeal swab from a patient at a drive-through COVID-19 testing station for University of Washington Medicine patients in Seattle. The Associated Press has found that the critical shortage of testing swabs, protective masks, surgical gowns and hand sanitizer can be tied to a sudden drop in imports of medical supplies. [AP Photo/Elaine Thompson]
Hennepin County has created drop-off locations for items needed to protect people who are responding to the COVID-19 crisis.
Staff working in quarantine operations, as first responders, in public health, clinics and hospitals are running low on supplies that keep them safe and help them continue their work protecting our community.
The priority items needed for these workers are:
- Protective face wear – N95 or N100 respirators, PAPRs and surgical masks
- Nitrile gloves
- Tyvek coveralls
- Tyvek foot covers
- Eye protection (wrap arounds or chemical splash)
"We're just ramping up," Eric Waage, Hennepin County Emergency Management's director said.
"We want to make sure there are supplies on hand, in these health care facilities, so they can turn and put a mask on when they need to put a mask on," Waage added.
Drop off site for Sunday, March 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. is located at:
- Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation – 3000 North Second Street, Minneapolis, MN 55441
Drop off site starting Monday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily is located at:
- Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation – 3000 North Second Street, Minneapolis, MN 55441
- Adult Correctional Facility – 1145 Shenandoah Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55447
- Southdale Library – 7001 York Avenue South, Edina, MN 55435
Allina Health has also set up locations for people to help with the demand.