The William Osler Health System is putting out a call to the community in search of donations of essential protective gear for health-care workers on the coronavirus front lines.

WOHS, which operates Brampton Civic Hospital, Etobicoke General Hospital and the Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness, said it has enough supplies to meet current demands, but needs to bolster stocks of supplies like masks, gloves and gowns in case the COVID-19 outbreak worsens.

“As health care workers continue to battle COVID-19, William Osler Health System (Osler), like all Ontario hospitals, is preparing for an increased number of COVID-19 cases and for an increased need for personal protective equipment (PPE), should the need arise,” read a WOHS media release on March 26.

“At this time, Osler has enough supply to meet community need, even though there are global supply chain concerns based on the significant international demand for these products. Businesses and individuals who have surplus supplies are encouraged to give. All donations will be inspected, assessed, cleaned and disinfected, where possible,” added the release.

Specific items of need include new, unused, unopened and unexpired protective gloves, ear-loop masks, N95 respirators, gowns and vented goggles.

“All donations will be inspected, assessed, cleaned and disinfected, where possible,” added WOHS.

“Personal protective equipment is critical to ensuring the health and safety of our patients, staff and physicians, and never has it been more important than it is right now as we fight the spread of COVID-19,” said Kiki Ferrari, executive vice-president of clinical operations.

Visit www.williamoslerhs.ca for information on how to donate supplies.

People can also donate money to purchase those and other much-needed supplies as the pandemic continues to spread.

As of 10 a.m. on March 26, Peel Region’s health department had confirmed 75 cases, including 28 in Brampton, 40 in Mississauga, five in Caledon and two more pending further details.