Today, U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3) released the following statement in response to reports of two presumed positive cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey’s Third Congressional District:

“Our first priority should be limiting the spread of the Coronavirus outbreak in Burlington and Ocean Counties by supporting our frontline public health officials and our most at risk and vulnerable populations,” said Congressman Kim. “I will continue to work with, and listen to guidance from our health care leaders, and ensure we do everything to contain this situation and mitigate the impact it is, and will continue to have, on our community.”

In the past weeks, Kim said his office has coordinated communications with leaders from major hospital systems and health departments across Ocean and Burlington Counties to hear their concerns about the Coronavirus and ensure they have the resources and support needed to keep us safe. Earlier this month, the Congressman voted to pass emergency funding to help respond to the outbreak crisis.

The emergency supplemental funding package provides $8.3 billion in funding to increase preparedness for communities to combat the Coronavirus outbreak. It includes:

• More than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics;
• $2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness, and response, $950 million of which is to support state & local health agencies;
• Nearly $1 billion for procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to support healthcare preparedness and Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity;
• $61 million to facilitate the development and review of medical countermeasures, devices, therapies, and vaccines, and to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions;
• $1.25 billion to address the coronavirus abroad to help keep Americans safe here at home; and
• Allows for an estimated $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses, to help cushion the economic blow of this public health emergency.

Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Small Business.