More than $500,000 in federal funding has been secured to help manage coronavirus cases and testing in Oregon, but the state's congressional delegation is continuing to push for full emergency funding estimated to be about $7 to $10 million per month. 

a person holding a toy: A researcher works in a lab that is developing testing for the COVID-19 coronavirus at Hackensack Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation on February 28, 2020, in Nutley, New Jersey. The facility develops novel therapies for some of the world's most difficult diseases. At least 53 countries have reported cases of infection. © Kena Betancur, Getty Images A researcher works in a lab that is developing testing for the COVID-19 coronavirus at Hackensack Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation on February 28, 2020, in Nutley, New Jersey. The facility develops novel therapies for some of the world's most difficult diseases. At least 53 countries have reported cases of infection.

Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Suzanne Bonamici and Earl Blumenauer, announced the $500,000 in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding Thursday. 

The CDC award is in addition to any funding to come out of an emergency funding package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday. The U.S. Senate is expected to pass the package Friday. 

The Oregon delegation also pushed the White House to grant Gov. Kate Brown’s request for additional federal support for protective equipment and testing to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

“With now three cases across Oregon, it’s clear that this virus is spreading and that our state will need significant resources to respond effectively and keep Oregonians safe,” Merkley said, adding that an "all-hands-on-deck approach" was vital.  

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He promised to continue to push for more support for Oregon and to make sure the federal government is doing everything it can to respond swiftly to the outbreak. 

A total of 11 deaths and more than 150 cases have been reported nationwide. The outbreak has been blamed for almost 3,300 deaths worldwide. 

Wyden, DeFazio, Bonamici and Blumenauer all stressed the need for robust funding and coordination. 

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“Right now, our number one priority is ensuring the health and safety of all Oregonians, and that urgent business means making sure the state has all the resources it needs as soon as possible to effectively combat the threat posed by COVID-19,” Wyden said. 

Oregon will receive $500,000 in funding out of an initial $25 million awarded by the CDC Thursday.

That funding is being awarded to states that have had the heaviest load in response and preparedness activities so far in the outbreak. The funding can be used for monitoring travelers, data management, lab equipment, supplies, staffing, shipping, and infection control.

Previous coverage: Gov. Brown requests medical supplies from feds, shares rural coronavirus response concerns

Members of the Oregon delegation also penned a letter to President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence asking for support on two key requests from Brown:

  • The release of additional personal protective equipment from the federal government’s stockpile, including masks, gowns, gloves, Tyvek suits, ambulance protection systems and 75 to 100 ventilators.
  • Enabling more flexibility on testing criteria for the COVID-19 coronavirus. 

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodwort@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon gets $500K from CDC for coronavirus response, delegation asks for more

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