WASHINGTON — West Virginia will receive $5.6 million in funding through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for response efforts to the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, according to a news release from Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.
The funding is the latest appropriation from the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act passed by Congress and signed by the President Donald J. Trump on March 6.
The bill provided $8.3 billion in supplemental funding government-wide for grants or cooperative agreements to states, localities and territories to accelerate planning and operational readiness for COVID-19 preparedness and response, and for development of tools and strategies, providing of technical assistance and program support and ensuring ongoing communication and coordination among public health agencies and partners.
“Our state and local public health professionals are vital to addressing and preparing for this coronavirus outbreak. This funding will support West Virginia’s public health organizations so they can be better prepared to manage and address the COVID-19 virus. West Virginians should not be lulled into a false sense of safety because we have no confirmed coronavirus cases in the state. We have one of the most vulnerable populations in the nation and we must prepare our health providers for the inevitable cases in West Virginia. Our state and nation must come together during this time to protect and take care of one another,” Manchin said.
“During the outbreak of COVID-19, the Senate has acted swiftly to appropriate supplemental funding to states and local public health partners. The $5.5 million allocated to West Virginia is crucial in our efforts to protect our citizens during this outbreak and supply the resources our state health providers need,” Sen. Capito said. “As this continues to evolve, I have remained in constant contact with state officials and will continue to do so, as well as continue to deliver the federal resources our state needs to best stay healthy during this uncertain time. West Virginians must have access to proper medical care and testing, and this money from the supplemental funding package will help expand both.”