The Personal Protective Equipment Manufacturing industry has become one of the most vital industries in the United States as a result of COVID-19. Statistics show that worldwide, the PPE industry is making an effort to meet the increase in demand for these products.
Use and Availability of PPE
The COVID-19 pandemic has driven a demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) for both healthcare professionals and the general public. These items are essential for protecting doctors, nurses, EMTs, and others on the front lines of the pandemic.
Global Monthly use of PPE by Healthcare Professionals
The demand for PPE equipment has surged since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, and healthcare professionals are dependent on these items for their safety. The necessary amount of PPE that is needed each month for health responders around the world to treat COVID-19 is as follows:
- 89 million masks
- 30 million gowns
- 1.59 million goggles
- 76 million gloves
- 2.9 million liters hand sanitizer
PPE Supply For U.S. Healthcare Workers
Keeping PPE items in stock is a challenge during this time due to the skyrocket in demand. While most U.S. healthcare workers have enough PPE to last more than a week, 40.9% are facing difficulties when it comes to supply.
- 6.8% are out of stock
- 9.8% have PPE to last 1-3 days
- 24.2% have PPE to last 4-7 days
- 59.1% have PPE to last more than a week
Availability of PPE for U.S. Doctors
Different PPE products vary in availability in the United States. While some products are more readily available, PPE products like gowns are harder for healthcare workers to get their hands on.
- Face Mask/ Respirator: 87.6% said it is available
- Gloves: 79.6% said it is available
- Eye Protection: 77.9% said it is available
- Full-suit or gown: 50.4% said it is available
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Imports and Exports of PPE
Importing PPE had become a challenge for governments, hospitals, and healthcare companies. Many countries depend on others for personal protective equipment and are having trouble meeting demand.
U.S. PPE Imports & Exports
The U.S. is primarily dependent on other countries for receiving necessary PPE equipment. With the exception of Hand Sanitizer, the U.S. Imports more PPE than it exports.
- Respirators and Masks
- Import: $3.2 Billion
- Export: $.5 Billion
- Hospital Gloves
- Import: $2.8 Billion
- Export: $1.5 Billion
- Hand Sanitizer
- Import: $1.5 Billion
- Export: $5.2 Billion
- Medical Gowns
- Import: $1.4 Billion
- Export: $.3 Billion
- Medical Goggles
- Import: $.9 Billion
- Export: $.2 Billion
Global PPE Production
China is a significant global supplier of PPE. In 2018, China was the estimated source of more than 50 percent of world imports of masks & respirators, medical goggles, medical gloves, and protective gowns.
- Medical Gowns
- From China: 60%
- From the Rest of the World: 40%
- Respirators and Masks
- From China: 59%
- From the Rest of the World: 41%
- Medical Goggles
- From China: 51%
- From the Rest of the World: 49%
- Hospital Gloves
- From China: 8%
- From the Rest of the World: 92%
