Oregon sends supplies to India to help contain COVID-19 spread, May 14

Right now, India is in the midst of a devastating surge of COVID-19 and with it, a shortage of vital supplies needed to stop the spread of the virus.  Many people waiting in line for tests are turned away due to lack of supplies.  This month, Oregon is sending a shipment of 300,000 BinaxNOW rapid test kits to India. These tests, which produce results in 15 minutes, will allow more cases of COVID-19 to be quickly identified so that steps can be taken to contain the virus.   “The relationships we have forged through the pandemic have made it possible to rally support to India in its time of need,” said Akiko Saito, deputy director of OHA’s Coronavirus Response and Recovery Unit.  “The Governor’s Office, OHA, Department of Administrative Services, Port of Portland and Cathay Pacific working together to send COVID-19 rapid tests is evidence of Oregon’s heart and commitment to a world view.”  The Desai Foundation, an organization that serves rural communities with health and livelihood programs focused on women and children in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh will ensure the kits are distributed to COVID Care & Isolation Centers, hospitals and local health workers to ensure the tests get into the hands of the people that need it most. Oregon received 1.2 million BinaxNOW tests from the federal government in Oct. 2020. There is still a very generous reserve of tests to use for diagnostic testing within Oregon.