The Department of Defense spent $415 million on 60 decontamination systems that can disinfect 5 million N95 respirators a day.
The systems, made by Battelle, were specifically designed to remove SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 from respirators. The systems can decontaminate the same mask over and over without degrading the protective capabilities of the respirator.
"This will allow medical professionals to reuse masks and will reduce the nation's need for new inventory," Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said during a Pentagon press briefing on Wednesday.
The units already deployed are currently being used in New York, Chicago and Boston. The remainder should be deployed by early May, according to the Pentagon.
DoD awarded the contract on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Also for the HHS and FEMA, the DoD has delivered 10 million N95 respirators and is "preparing to deliver 10 million more," Esper said.
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Reach Elizabeth Howe on Twitter @ECBHowe.
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