This will help.

As Irish hospitals struggle to access steady supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), the Ireland Cork Chinese Business Association has provided 40,000 face masks to help protect Cork health workers.

The masks, which were sent to Cork City Council by the government of Hangzhou, CAJ Senior Care Beijing, Ireland China Science and Technology Association (ICSTA), have been given to two of Cork’s biggest hospitals.

Up to 21,000 masks were delivered to Cork University Hospital (CUH) by Cork City Council, on behalf of the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office and another 19,000 masks have been handed over to the Mercy University Hospital on the behalf of Wenzhou Chamber.

“This donation, at our time of need, illustrates the depth of the relationship between Cork City and China.” said Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr John Sheehan.

“We are truly appreciative of this support and it once more underlines how challenges like Covid-19 can only be overcome by people working together”.

Further donations of PPE are expected from China in the coming week and will be given to acute hospitals and other care settings including nursing homes.