LOCAL

Mercy Medical Center awarded funding for COVID-19 fight

Kelly Byer
kelly.byer@cantonrep.com
Mercy Medical Center in Canton.  Friday, September 27, 2019.

CANTON Mercy Medical Center will receive about $956,060 in state and federal funds to aid its pandemic response.

The hospital on Thursday announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Ohio Emergency Management Agency funding as part of the federal disaster declaration earlier this year.

“We are extremely grateful for this funding, which will help Mercy Medical Center with the cost of medical supplies, materials, equipment, and other associated COVID-19 expenses,” Interim CEO Thomas J. Strauss said in a prepared statement.

The hospital now is able to test for COVID-19 in its lab after purchasing an upgrade for molecular testing equipment, said Elaine Campbell, of Mercy Medical Center. She said results can be ready in about an hour.

“This really helps to minimize, once they come into our doors, to figure out if they are positive,” she said.

The hospital also is adding negative pressure capabilities to two operating rooms to prevent airborne spread of the virus.

"It really helps in the situations with infections,“ Campbell said.

The money also will go toward a portable X-ray machine.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments and some nonprofit organizations for disaster-related expenses.

Ohio EMA will administer the grant and provide 25% of the funds — $239,015. The hospital announcement stated that FEMA provides the remaining 75% — $717,045.