BOSTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will send almost $1.4 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse the Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) for the cost of of testing the public and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The $1,390,865 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private 302-bed teaching hospital in Pittsfield affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical School for the cost of contracting to administer 22,968 COVID-19 tests between September 2020 and January 2021.

 

The hospital also purchased supplies such as lab coats, masks, gloves, and propane for the testing tent, and contracted to provide security and cleaning services.

 

"FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the Berkshire Medical Center with these costs," said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. "Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation."