Derby's Griffin Hospital Receives $2M Grant For Coronavirus Fight

DERBY, CT — Griffin Hospital in Derby was one of dozens of hospitals around the country to receive a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance Program to its care and treatment of coronavirus patients during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hospital received $2,078,108, which is reimbursement to Griffin for the setup of a COVID-19 testing tent outside the hospital in March of last year.

Griffin Hospital was also able to repurpose an existing 23-bed unit for COVID-19 patients by adding electrical connections and setting up a nurse calling system. The reimbursements to the hospital are for expenses incurred between Jan. 21 through Aug. 31, 2020.

"The actions taken by this hospital were vital in the fight against COVID-19," said Acting Region 1 Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer Paul Ford, who oversees FEMA's operations in New England. "FEMA and the state are thankful Griffin Hospital took these actions to save many lives in the Derby area."

Under its PA program, FEMA is providing facilities a 100 percent federal cost share of eligible coronavirus-related expenses. In addition to Griffin's testing tent and bed expansion, the funding also covers reimbursements for the costs of personal protective equipment, and disinfecting supplies.

As of last week, FEMA obligated $498.2 million related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut.

Additional information about FEMA’s PA Program can be located at: https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.