WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new round of Centers for Disease Control (CDC) funding totaling $560 million for the country’s COVID-19 response efforts. Maine will be receiving $4,567,500.
“CDC will use existing networks to reach out to state and local jurisdictions to access this initial funding,” The White House says in a press release.
"State and local health departments are on the frontlines of responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, and we are deeply grateful for their work," HHS Secretary Alex Azar said. "CDC is distributing this new funding extremely rapidly, as called for by Congress. President Trump and his entire administration will continue working to ensure state and local jurisdictions have the resources they need to keep Americans safe and healthy."
“I applaud Maine’s Congressional Delegation for their work to secure these important funds,” Gov. Janet Mills said in a statement. “Although Maine does not currently have a confirmed case of the coronavirus, these funds will help us prepare for and respond to potential cases.”
Maine CDC director Dr. Nirav Shah echoed Mills' statement saying, “These funds will bolster our capacity to respond to the potential arrival of the virus in Maine and support our efforts to protect the health of Maine people and communities. I am grateful to Maine’s Congressional Delegation for their support.”
On Friday, March 6, Pres. Trump signed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020.
According to a press release the supplemental contains $8.3 billion government-wide, “with resources directed for grants or cooperative agreements to states, localities, territories, and tribes to accelerate planning and operational readiness for COVID-19 preparedness and response, as well as develop tools and strategies, provide technical assistance and program support, as well as ensure ongoing communication and coordination among public health agencies and partners throughout the response.”
This is the third round of funding states and jurisdictions have received, and Maine’s first. A total of $604,822,380 has been funded by the CDC.
Click here for the state-by-state breakdown.
