Congressman Kim, Health Care Leaders Sound Alarm Bell
on COVID-19 Second Wave Preparation 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, on a call convened Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03), health care leaders from across New Jersey expressed serious concerns about preparedness for a potential second wave of COVID-19 cases in Burlington and Ocean Counties.

“The Coronavirus crisis has hit New Jersey hard, and we need to make sure we’ve learned from the past four months as we prepare for a potential second wave of the virus,” said Congressman Kim, “What I heard from our health care leaders today was an alarm bell that was heard loud and clear; we need to make sure further steps are taken at the federal level to address PPE supply chain issues, implement a real national testing strategy and implement virus early warning systems in our local communities. If we get this right, we can save lives and livelihoods. We simply cannot afford to get it wrong.”

Congressman Kim was joined by local health care leaders including representatives from the Burlington and Ocean County health departments, Hackensack Meridian Health, RWJBarnabas Health, Cooper University Healthcare, Deborah Heart and Lung, Virtua Health, and Jefferson Health.

Specific issues discussed on the call include ongoing supply chain issues for personal protective equipment, the need for additional testing and national guidance on testing, the need to address the increase in non-COVID medical issues such as overdoes and suicides, and the need to further support resources for telehealth.

Since the beginning of the Coronavirus crisis, Congressman Kim has been a vocal advocate for increased federal involvement in improving testing and contact tracing efforts in New Jersey. The Congressman led a bipartisan effort to push the Federal Emergency Management Agency to open a third federally backed testing site in New Jersey, which was denied by the White House. The Congressman has continuously reiterated his calls for federal leadership on testing, including in an op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Information about Congressman Kim’s actions to contain the Coronavirus pandemic and address the ongoing economic impact can be found on his website by clicking here.

Congressman Kim is a member of the bipartisan House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis, where he serves as one of twelve members of the House tasked with conducting oversight over programs aimed at ending the Coronavirus pandemic and helping address the economic impact it’s having on the American people. Congressman Kim is also a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Small Business. More information about Congressman Kim can be found on his website by clicking here.

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