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Mar 31, 2020 8:36 PM -

Federal government has purchased 157 million surgical masks and other medical equipment

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A B.C. ambulance paramedic is seen outside the Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver, B.C. Monday, March 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

The federal government has purchased 157 million surgical masks and more than 60 million N95 masks, used by health-care professional to stop the spread of COVID-19.

There are also 1,570 ventilators on order, with officials looking to secure 4,000 more.

Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand laid out the state of the government's bulk buy efforts today.

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