CLEVELAND, Ohio – Gov. Mike DeWine announced Wednesday the formation of a public-private partnership uniting manufacturers in Ohio to help provide personal protection equipment to health care workers combating coronavirus.

The Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19 is a joint effort involving the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership, JobsOhio, the Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. The group will help solicit and coordinate efforts to manufacture items like gloves, hospital gowns, face masks and other equipment that is in short supply.

The governor urged any manufacturers around the state who may be able to help to visit the group’s website at repurposingproject.com.

“We know we have a real need to increase the numbers,” DeWine said. “And we have to increase them significantly.”

As the nation responds to the coronavirus pandemic, the country has faced a significant shortage of medical supplies.

That shortage leaves medical personnel at a significantly greater risk of contracting the disease, taking them out of the response and increasing the strain on the health care system during the peak outbreak of the virus.

A full list of the supplies needed is on the group’s website.

The newfound coalition will delegate responsibility among the four main entities, according to its website.

The Ohio Hospital Association will run outreach to hospitals to determine the supplies needed. The Ohio Manufacturing Association will coordinate outreach to the manufacturing sector to encourage companies to help make supplies.

The Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a state agency that aids small- and medium-sized manufacturers, will manage demand, supply and engineering support.

JobsOhio, the state’s economic development wing, will help with outreach and financial support to speed production.

“The money will be there,” DeWine said. “What we need you to do is let us know what your capability is, what you think you can do, how long it will take. We need your help.”