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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

News Release


FOR IMMEDIATE ​RELEASE ​
September 9, 2020
​​ (202) 730-0190
media@hhs.gov
http://www.hhs.gov/news
Twitter: @HHSMedia
 

HHS deploys medical personnel to Honolulu to care for
COVID-19 patients

A federal medical team from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began providing temporary medical surge support today at The Queen’s Medical Center and the Kuakini Medical Center in Honolulu.

The 21 personnel, primarily nurses, from the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHS) join 15 medical professionals from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to help the two hospitals safely care for patients with COVID-19. The HHS team will be deployed for up to 14 days.

HHS activated the USPHS Commissioned Corps, along with the National Disaster Medical System, to provide temporary medical relief during the pandemic; these professionals augment health care providers at overwhelmed medical facilities in hotspot areas across the United States. More than 4,160 USPHS officers have deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic in support of our worldwide efforts. These medical providers work in collaboration with local health providers to treat COVID-19 patients.

HHS partners routinely with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to provide public health and medical support in emergencies, including pandemics and natural and manmade disasters.

Federal healthcare providers are deployed at the request of a state or U.S. territory, and deployments are led by the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.

To learn more about HHS’ response to COVID-19, please visit https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/nCoV/Pages/default.aspx.

To learn more about the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned, please visit www.USPHS.gov.

 

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  • This page last reviewed: September 10, 2020