ANN ARBOR, MI -- As hospitals across the U.S. prepare for a growing number of new COVID-19 patients, residents can help by donating new or unused protective medical gear, Ann Arbor health leaders announced Friday.

Both the University of Michigan and St. Joseph Mercy medical systems will host donation drives for items used in healthcare treatment as more cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, are confirmed in Michigan.

Health leaders say there are enough items in stock now, but want to prepare for any potential surges. Sixteen people in Washtenaw County have confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Friday, March 20. None of the cases require hospitalization, according the Washtenaw County Health Department.

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Two more confirmed COVID-19 patients are being treated by Michigan Medicine, hospital officials said this week.

Donations to Michigan Medicine will begin Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22 from noon to 5 p.m., then continue daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Donations will be accepted at the North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor.

“It’s truly incredible what we have heard from local residents and businesses, and people all over the state, in recent days. We’ve received offers of supplies that they know are needed to care for COVID-19 patients, and our team has ramped up quickly to be able to accept them,” said Janet Abbruzzese, who directs supply chain management for Michigan Medicine,in a statement. “We have already had an amazing outpouring of supplies from scientific laboratories across the university, and now we are turning to the broader community.”

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Michigan Medicine is accepting the following new or unused items:

Disposable face masks

N95 masks, sometimes called respirators

Eye protection including face shields and safety goggles

Disposable gowns

Disposable gloves, especially non-latex

Disposable surgical caps

Disposable foot covers

Wipes: bleach or antimicrobial

Hand sanitizer

PAPRs (powered air-purifying respirators) and PAPR hoods

Nasal testing swabs

Viral testing kits

More information on what is not being accepted, as of March 20, is available here.

Three St. Joe’s locations are also accepting supplies. Spokesman Bobby Maldonado said the donation centers come from “an outpouring of requests from the community” that wanted to support local health care workers.

“We decided to set up drop off centers as a way to address their wish to help make a difference in their local community,” Maldonado said in a statement. “We are blessed to be a part of such a thoughtful community, and thank everyone for their well wishes as we navigate these unique times together.”

Locations:

St. Joe’s Ann Arbor: Towsley Health Building, 5361 McAuley Dr., Ypsilanti

St. Joe’s Chelsea: Drop off at the white tent near the emergency department, 775 S. Main St., Chelsea

St. Joe’s Livingston: Main Entrance, 620 Byron Road, Howell

Donation Center hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, though hours may change based on staffing, officials said.

Donation centers will also be set up at St. Joe’s locations in Livonia and Pontiac.

St. Joe’s staff will accept the following unopened items daily beginning Saturday, March 21:

PAPRs

Regular masks

N95 masks

Face shields

Gowns

Hot glue sticks

Surgical caps/protective caps

Eyeglass shields/goggles

Nasal testing swabs

M4 Viral Media

Lysol or Clorox Wipes

Hand sanitizer

Transparency sheets

Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus pandemic in Michigan at mlive.com/coronavirus.

PREVENTION TIPS

Michigan’s State Emergency Operations Center is coordinating state-government resources and the response to the coronavirus spread. It has shared the following tips:

What you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases:

· Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.

· Stay home if you are sick and advise others to do the same.

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

· Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

· Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if soap and warm water are not available.

· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces(computers, keyboards, desks, etc.).

· It’s not too late to get your flu shot! While the influenza vaccine does not protect against COVID-19 infection, it can help keep you healthy during the flu season.

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