The Indian Health Service hosted a media briefing on May 14, 2020, to discuss the agency’s public health response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Participants included:
* Rear Adm. Michael Toedt, M.D., chief medical officer, Indian Health Service
* Dr. Loretta Christensen, chief medical officer, Navajo Area Indian Health Service
* Jillian Curtis, director, Office of Finance and Accounting, Indian Health Service
* Lisa Gyorda, director, Office of Human Resources, Indian Health Service
* Capt. Angela Mtungwa, director, Division of Commissioned Personnel Support, Office of Human Resources, Indian Health Service
* Capt. Robert Hayes, director, IHS National Supply Service Center
On Indian Health Service media call, Chief Medical Officer Michael Toedt said 250 Abbott #Coronavirus rapid testing machines and supplies for "over 90,000 tests" have been distributed within @IHSgov. Also, 35 million gloves and 7 million #N95 masks have been distributed. #COVID19
— indianz.com (@indianz) May 14, 2020
"We are testing very heavily," Loretta Christensen, Chief Medical Officer for Navajo Area of Indian Health Service says on @IHSgov media call. Says "social distancing is working" and "We feel like we have flattened the curve” on largest reservation in U.S. #Coronavirus #COVID19
— indianz.com (@indianz) May 14, 2020
According to Jillian Curtis of Indian Health Service, @IHSgov has allocated over $1.1 billion for #COVID19 preparedness and response. Another $750 million for #Coronavirus testing and testing related efforts is coming, Curt says on IHS media call.
— indianz.com (@indianz) May 14, 2020
"It's critical for #COVID19 preparedness and response," Jillian Curtis of Indian Health Service @IHSgov says of $53 million allocated for urban Indian health organizations. Majority of American Indians and Alaska Natives live in urban areas. #UrbanIndians #Coronavirus
— indianz.com (@indianz) May 14, 2020