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Gov. Gavin Newsom launches new task force to boost medical supplies and testing

Posted at 4:03 PM, Apr 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-04 19:03:30-04

Governor Gavin Newsom announced Saturday that he launched a new task force that will aim at boosting medical supplies and COVID-19 testing kits.

As the distribution of key medical supplies have been considered one of the forefronts in battling COVID-19, a new state run operated website will assist in that effort, Newsom stated.

The website "will allow individuals and companies to donate, sell or offer to manufacture 13 of the most essential medical supplies, including ventilators, N95 respirators and testing materials," according to a press release sent out by the governor's office.

Newsom also announced the establishment of the COVID-19 Testing Task Force, a partnership between public and private sectors that will work towards boosting the testing capabilities of healthcare providers across the state.

The University of California, San Diego and UC Davis will also be teaming up with the state to establish "high throughput testing hubs," according to the release.

Stanford Medicine is also collaborating with the state to release its first serology test invented in California, the release states.

Meanwhile, Newsom's office is also working with Abbot Laboratories to launch a COVID-19 test that rapidly produces results within minutes. The test will be distributed to 13 health care delivery systems at 75 different sites, the release states.