The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) has donated 4,000 N95 respirator masks and 2,000 pair of nitrile disposable gloves in an effort to help the medical community and first-responders meet its increased need for protective equipment amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Delaware and New Jersey.

The Delaware Healthcare Association, which plans to distribute the masks and nitrile gloves to hospitals in all three of Delaware’s counties, received 2,000 N95 respirator masks and 1,000 pair of nitrile disposable gloves while 500 masks and 250 pair of nitrile gloves were provided to each of the following in New Jersey: Salem Medical Center; Cape Regional Medical Center Cumberland County Fire/EMS; and Gloucester County Fire/EMS.

“We recognize the dire need for N95 respirator masks in our region and we’re thankful to be in a position to share what we have,” said DRBA Executive Director Thomas J. Cook. “Medical professionals and first responders are on the front lines in this battle to contain the outbreak and we want to do what we can to support their lifesaving mission.”

“We are grateful to the DRBA for their donation of the N95 Masks and Gloves, and supporting our efforts to protect those first responders risking their personal health and safety to take care of the citizens in Cumberland County,” Cumberland County Public Safety Director Gabriel Scarpa noted. “We thank the DRBA for their urgently needed support for our first responders,” said Cumberland County Freeholder Director Joseph Derella.

The DRBA has equipped employees in the various maintenance and toll functions with these masks and gloves in the past. In addition, the bi-state agency increased its stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE) for flu pandemic preparedness following the N1H1 Swine Flu outbreak, which makes this donation possible.