As the federal government ratchets up its response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have announced plans to release more than $560 million in response support funding to state and local authorities.
“Our state, local, tribal, and territorial public health partners are on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. The action we are taking today will continue to support their efforts to increase public health capacity where it’s needed most,” CDC Director Robert Redfield said. “These funds will allow public health leaders to implement critical steps necessary to contain and mitigate spread of the virus in communities across the country.”
The CDC has already begun contacting State Health Officers to discuss dispersal of the funding, which will benefit states, localities, territories, and tribal authorities. It will proceed through existing networks.
“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.”
The funding stems from the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, introduced by Congress signed into law by the President earlier this month. That legislation provided some $8.3 billion worth of resources meant for grants and cooperative agreements to enhance planning and preparedness for COVID-19 and all levels of government, along with the development of tools and strategies, technical assistance, and robust communication.