Assessment for COVID-19 among First Responders

This justification for unusual and compelling urgency is due to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19, which was declared a global pandemic by the WHO. The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020 and a national emergency was declared via Presidential Proclamation on March 13, 2020. The ultimate spread, length of time, and severity of the COVID-19 outbreak is unknown as this time and current data indicate that COVID-19 has begun to spread exponentially, in the typical pattern for an epidemic.. The goal of the ongoing U.S. public health response is to respond to and mitigate sustained spread of COVID-19 in this country. The HHS has a requirement to provide medical and pharmaceutical related material and services to various locations across the US during this public health emergency and response effort. The Department anticipates receiving Mission Assignments generated from within and outside HHS to purchase and distribute required services, products and equipment. Any delay in providing critical medical supplies, services and equipment could cause irreparable harm and put American citizens at an increased risk of transmission and exposure. Every effort must be made to provide needed products and services in the most expedient manner.