The Oregon National Guard will distribute about 400,000 surgical masks and other pieces of protective equipment to long-term care facilities in Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown said Monday.

She said the rapid distribution of masks, gloves and face shields will reach all of the state’s nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

The rapid deployment of gear is designed to prevent more workers and residents of such facilities from catching COVID-19. About half of the coronavirus deaths in Oregon to date have been among nursing home residents.

“The staff of Oregon’s long-term care facilities are on the front lines of our fight against COVID-19, and I am committed to protecting their health and safety," Brown said in a statement.

The material being provided to Oregon’s long-term care facilities includes about 177,000 surgical masks, 127,000 gloves, 55,000 N95 masks, 33,000 face shields, and 2,500 gowns, Brown said. Members of the Oregon National Guard began deliveries of this equipment Saturday.

“Long-term care providers across the state have been in dire need of personal protective equipment to ensure that our caregivers can follow best practices for infection, prevention, and containment,” said April Diaz, vice president of clinical services for Marquis Companies, said in a statement.

Melissa Unger, executive director of the union whose members help staff such facilities, praised the development. “Long-term care workers are on the front lines of this crisis, but just like every other year, they are under supported,” Unger said in a statement. “Prioritizing PPE for these facilities will save lives and protect the front-line workers who are putting their health at risk to support Oregon’s seniors and people with disabilities.”

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive Politics Team