First State Times

Delaware will receive $4.5 million in federal funding to combat coronavirus, which is part of an $8.3 billion spending package signed by President Donald Trump in response to COVID-19.

Funds are divided among the states and designated to assist with preparedness, prevention and response to the current outbreak. There are 1,311 confirmed cases in the United States as of March 11, 2020, a total 126,000 cases confirmed around the world. One case has been confirmed in Delaware.

“The $8.3 billion emergency coronavirus package approved today is an important step forward in our fight to address this growing health crisis,” said Sen. Tom Carper in a release announcing the funds. “I know how important it is to get this critical funding to our state and local partners – the men and women who are on the front lines testing and treating patients every day – so that they have the resources they need to protect themselves and our communities. [Our] response to the coronavirus must be an all-hands-on-deck effort based on facts from the world’s leading health experts. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Congress to make sure we are communicating with the American people in a transparent, fact-based way and doing our part to ensure screenings are both accessible and affordable for all Americans.”

More than $3 billion will be dedicated to the development of vaccines, therapies and testing. Public health departments will receive $2.2 billion for prevention and response. Nearly $1 billion will go to supplies and medical surge capacity, and $1.25 billion will go toward combating coronavirus overseas. 

“I am extremely encouraged by how closely the Senate and House are coordinating on a bipartisan basis to address this outbreak,” U.S.  Sen. Chris Coons said in a release. “This bill provides critical funding that will support our researchers as they pursue a vaccine, state and local officials as they do the challenging work to prepare on the ground, and healthcare providers and others on the front lines domestically and around the world.”