AITKIN — The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office reported Wednesday, April 8, it received 1,000 KN95 masks from a private vendor and it will receive 30 gallons of hand sanitizer on Friday.
“To effectively use these types of masks a FIT test is required for every wearer,” Sheriff Dan Guida stated in a news release, meaning users must ensure the masks fit properly. “Riverwood Healthcare Center has stepped up and is currently providing that training for our first responders so we can protect the community we serve. When that is completed we will be issuing masks to all Aitkin County fire departments, police departments, first responder groups and organizations that serve residential at-risk populations in Aitkin County.”
China used the KN95 mask in its fight against the coronavirus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the masks — which are almost identical in performance to N95 masks — for use in health care settings, CNN reported.
If a facility or organization is in need of these supplies, they may contact Patrice Erickson, Aitkin County deputy emergency manager at 218-927-7437. Requests will be reviewed and deliveries arranged as supplies are available.
“A huge thanks to Riverwood for helping us with this training and our Aitkin County Public Health Department for continued guidance on the rapidly changing suggestions from our state partners,” Guida said.
