BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $5.8 million to Kern County health clinics on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic response.

$3.3 million has been directed to Clinica Sierra Vista as part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act signed by President Donald Trump last month.

"These funds will allow Clinica to keep locations in Kern and Fresno county staffed at optimal levels to address increased testing and services amid a surge in local patients," said Tim Calahan, Clinica Sierra Vista's Director of Public Relations and Community Development. "These federal dollars came at just the right time. We applaud HHS Secretary Alex Azar for securing critical dollars for community heath centers in our state, and across the nation."

The funding is aimed to help health centers prevent, diagnose and treat COVID-19 and maintain capacity and staffing levels to address the emergency.