LABEOC Update – 3 April 2020
As of noon (12:00 PM) today, Louisiana has 10,297 diagnosed cases, 370 deaths and 1,707 patients hospitalized (535 requiring ventilators)associated with the outbreak. All data is available at www.ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.
“Stay at Home” Order to be Extended. The statewide “Stay at Home” order will be extended to 30 April. See attachment for more details
FEMA expediting movement of Critical Supplies PPE from the global market is being distributed to medical distributors in various locations across the U.S.
FEMA Continues to Coordinate an Air Bridge for Flights from Asia. The first flight landed Sunday, March 29, and delivered 80 tons of much needed PPE supplies to New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
- Additional flights landed in Chicago on March 30, Miami on March 31, Los Angeles on April 1, and Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, on April 3. FEMA has more flights scheduled and is adding more daily.
- Each flight contains critical personal protective equipment (PPE), to include gloves, gowns, goggles, and masks in varying quantities. FEMA will not have detailed visibility on the amount of PPE until the flights are loaded overseas.
- Overseas flights are arriving at airports that are operational hubs. They are not indicators that the supplies will be distributed in those locations. All supplies are national supplies and will be distributed to hot spots and through the vendors’ regular supply chain to locations across the country. Upon arrival, PPE is provided, in varying quantities, first to medical distributors in areas of greatest need; then, the remainder will be infused into the broader U.S. supply chain. Prioritization will be given to hospitals, health care facilities, and nursing homes around the country.
LA Department of Health Guidance for PPE Procurement for Non-Governmental Providers. There has been significant requests for PPE and other medical supplies/equipment. In an effort to streamline that process, LDH has developed the following protocols for you to seek the PPE/supplies that you need:
- To the extent possible, please continue to use the vendor/supply chain you would normally to request such supplies. (see FEMA acquisition & distribution strategy above)
- You can call the State Supply Hotline at 225-325-5900 to be put on our list as supplies become available. This phone line is available seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. This guidance is for NON-government entities. http://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/3884
New Text Alert System to Provide Timely COVID-19 Updates. Louisianans can opt-in to the new system today by texting “LACOVID” to 67283. The text alert system will provide timely COVID-19 updates and other critical guidance directly from the governor’s office to state residents.
FEMA/GSA Market Research. On behalf of FEMA, GSA is conducting market research to understand the capabilities related to bedding, hygiene, DME, office supplies, and facilities commodities related to the US Government COVID-19 pandemic response. If your firm is interested and capable of providing these commodities to the Government we ask you, please complete the form below. If your firm does not have a GSA Contract but is able to provide the supplies below we ask you to complete the form so we are able to follow up with you as well.https://feedback.gsa.gov/jfe/form/SV_cTGW6JMlo2iEFxz
*Responses Due: April 5, 2020.
*The RFI will remain open beyond April 3rd/5th, but due to the immediate nature of the Government’s needs we ask for response by the 3rd.
ASTM International Provides No-Cost Public Access to PPE Standards.The standards used in the production and testing of Personal Protective Equipment – including face masks, medical gowns, gloves, and hand sanitizers – are available to support manufacturers, test labs, health care professionals, and the general public. You must register with ASTM but there is no cost to download the PDF of the standards.
Businesses Seeking to Do Business with the State. Vendors and companies seeking to do business with the state during the COVID-19 response should use the LaPAC website. Bids on requirements are released daily to support on-going response and recovery efforts.
Thank you again for your support of Louisiana!
Chris J. DeGuelle
LABEOC Director
