BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Clinica Sierra Vista received a generous donation on surgical masks on Monday. The donation was part of 30,000 surgical masks purchased through the Central Valley Community Foundation’s (CVCF) COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.

“A donation of this magnitude from the Central Valley Community Foundation is vitally important as our staff continues to test patients at multiple sites between Kern and Fresno counties,” said Tim Calahan, Director of Public Relations for Clinica Sierra Vista. “Our nurses, doctors, and support staff are on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19, and personal protective gear like these masks - allow our employees to feel protected, as they put themselves in harm’s way to protect our families.”

As of now, Clinica Sierra Vista has tested more than 600 patients, and confirmed 56 patients postiive for COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund was created by local donors and with the support of The California Endowment, the James B. McClatchy Foundation, PG&E Corporation Foundation, the Sierra Health Foundation, CalWellness, Comcast, and Chevron.