A ventilator is displayed during a news conference, Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at the New York City Emergency Management Warehouse, where 400 ventilators have arrived and will be distributed. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Mark Lennihan
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government is moving forward with the private sector on agreements to purchase equipment for the response to COVID-19.
He says production of ventilators, masks and test kits is now underway.
One company, Thornhill Medical, says it is making 500 ventilators and hopes to have them ready within weeks.
Trudeau says the government has signed letters of intent with five other firms to bolster the national stockpiles of badly needed equipment.
The government is also allocating $2 billion to purchase personal protective equipment for health care professionals.