DPR to purchase equipment to step up face mask production – Ananchenko

Donetsk, Mar 17 – DAN. Donetsk People’s Republic authorities plan to purchase equipment to step up the local production of face masks, DPR Prime Minister Alexander Ananchenko said at the “Government Hour” session in the DPR parliament on Tuesday.

“The Republic has ten enterprises that can manufacture masks and one half-mask producer. Four of them have loaded their capacities with orders to 100 percent,” Ananchenko said.  “We are ready to produce 17,800 masks per day which is not enough. In this connection, we’ll make all efforts towards increasing the production; we’re now considering purchasing equipment and have built up a strategic reserve for the autumn.”

The Republic’s Industry and Trade Ministry said it might launch round-the-clock production in several shifts should the need arise.

An outbreak of coronavirus -caused pneumonia has been recorded across the world since late last year. The so-called Patient Zero was in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The number of COVID-19 patients across the world has exceeded 169,000 by now; coronavirus killed more than 6,5 people, according to the latest reports.

On March 14, DPR Head Denis Pushilin put the Republic on high alert in connection with the threat of coronavirus infection. The epidemiological situation in the Republic is currently under control; the DPR Healthcare Minister has the necessary equipment and test kits to diagnose the diseases caused by the new type of coronavirus. The Republic also launched a range of preventive measures. *jk