Release:

Thanks to a generous donation from Michelin, the provincial stockpile of surgical masks grew by 75,000. This donation will be followed by an additional 50,000 masks from Michelin in the coming weeks.

These donations will augment our provincial supply, along with regular deliveries from local, national and international suppliers and the federal government.

A portion of the donated masks are designated for staff at long term care facilities across Nova Scotia. The remainder will help keep frontline staff safe while they provide care to patients.

“These past few weeks have demonstrated the incredible capacity of Nova Scotians to come together and look out for each other,” said Dr. Brendan Carr, NSHA CEO.

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends and neighbours at Michelin. It is so encouraging that community-minded businesses like Michelin, many of which are dealing with the impact of COVID-19 themselves, continue to reach out to offer services and supplies to NSHA, and to provide support to our staff and physicians,” said Dr. Brendan Carr, NSHA president and CEO.

Earlier in April, some employees at the Michelin plant in Waterville, NS, put their skills with sewing machines to a new use, besides sewing components as part of the tire-making process. Instead, they starting stitching hospital scrubs for Valley Regional Hospital and other hospitals in the Annapolis Valley, South Shore and South West Nova Scotia.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 situation, Michelin has remained focused on the long-term health, safety and well-being of its employees, their families and the surrounding communities.

In an ongoing effort to provide support during the pandemic to the communities where they operate across the continent, Michelin North America is donating 700,000 masks to hospitals, medical facilities and essential businesses with a critical need for these supplies.

“Michelin is pleased to be able to play a role in the province’s COVID-19 response efforts,” says Andrew Mutch, President, Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. “Working with the province and Nova Scotia Health Authority, we can help ensure that front-line workers in all of our communities have access to the protective equipment they need.”

Nova Scotia is taking aggressive steps to limit the spread of COVID-19.

An essential part of the province’s COVID-19 response includes managing procurement of personal protective equipment centrally and working in a coordinated way across the province to remain prepared for any changes in demand.

The central warehouse is where the provincial stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, face-shields, gowns and other supplies are kept before they are distributed across Nova Scotia as part of our coordinated COVID-19 response.

This response includes working closely with long term care facilities, home care agencies and other partner organizations in Nova Scotia to identify needs, and coordinate access to the provincial stockpile as required.