Province again asks Manitobans, businesses to help provide needed supplies to fight COVID-19

The provincial government is again asking Manitobans and local businesses to help supply products or services needed to battle the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Specifically, the province is looking for help from the garment industry, which could fabricate things that require sewing, says a news release issued by the province Tuesday.

The province is seekingN95 masks,surgical masks,gloves,medical gownsand "additional medical supplies."

Manitoba businesses able to provide suppliesor able to revise their operations to make the required productscan applyonlineto provide their services. The procurement office will contact people after they fill out the form, the province says.

Anyone with personal protective equipment that is in the original packaging, clean and in usable condition can donate the supplies to Shared Health. There are drop-off locations in Winnipeg, Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, Winkler and Steinbach.

Public health officials have said that the amount of PPE in stock is still at adequate levels, but the supply chain is strained and it will be tougher to get what is needed in the future.

On Tuesday afternoon, health officials said there are 193 active cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba; 12 people are in hospital, including six in intensive care.

Three people who have contracted the virus in the province have died, and 21 have recovered.

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