NewsCoronavirus

Actions

Michigan gets 400 ventilators from FEMA to fight COVID-19

default.png
Posted at 5:37 PM, Mar 31, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-31 17:37:06-04

(WXYZ) — The State of Michigan has received 400 ventilators to help in its fight against COVID-19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Whitmer, the ventilators came from the strategic national stockpile and are on their way to hospitals in need across the state.

"We are still working to secure more and ensure our health providers have the tools they need. Thank you James Joseph from FEMA," Whitmer tweeted.

Michigan has 1,700 ventilators - critical equipment to help people breathe - but needs 5,000 to 10,000 more, MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said.

"That's going to be a pressure point," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said when asked about people to operate them. "That's precisely why we've called out to people who have perhaps retired from the medical field to consider coming back. That's why we've made it easier for people to join the front lines."

Additional Coronavirus information and resources:

Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.

Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.

View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.

Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.

See all of our Helping Each Other stories.

See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.