US Stockpile of Medical Supplies, Protective Gear ’Nearly Depleted’

By Staff, Agencies

The United States’ nation-wide medical and protective gear supplies are “nearly depleted,” the US Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] told the Associated Press on Thursday.

N95 respirators, surgical masks, face shields, gowns and other medical supplies in need of medical workers treating patients with COVID-19 are almost out after distributing all stocks of emergency equipment from the federal inventory.

HHS spokeswoman Katie McKeogh said that 10% of the federal stockpile remained and will be kept in reserve to support federal response efforts.

The depletion of medical supplies comes amid an ABC News report that US intelligence officials sent warnings to the Pentagon of a looming pandemic back in late November, repeatedly sending briefings to policy-makers throughout December.

The coronavirus concerns were detailed in an intelligence report by the military's National Center for Medical Intelligence [NCMI], ABC News reported.