FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 21, 2020

COLUMBIA, S.C. — To help provide supplies for health care providers responding to COVID-19, South Carolina requested its full allocation of medical equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile. DHEC received the first shipment this week. The 55 pallets in the initial shipment contained N-95 masks, face shields, surgical masks, gowns and gloves. Additional shipments may continue over the next three weeks.

Please see the video footage available here. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Sgt. Tim Andrews, South Carolina National Guard)

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with the 59th Troop Command, South Carolina National Guard, and U.S. Air National Guard Airmen with the 169th Logistics Readiness Squadron, South Carolina National Guard, loaded the personal protective equipment and other supplies on March 20 to be transported and distributed to all 46 counties in South Carolina. The South Carolina National Guard remains ready to support the counties, local and state agencies, and first responders with requested resources for as long as needed in support of COVID-19 response efforts in the state. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Sgt. Tim Andrews, South Carolina National Guard)

For the latest information about DHEC’s COVID-19 response efforts, please visit scdhec.gov/COVID-19.

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