Wnited States Senate WASHINGTON, DC 20510 March 6, 2020 ‘The Honorable Alex M. Azar Il Secretary Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201 Dear Secretary Azar: We respectfully request that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) work to expeditiously award funding to states, localities, territories and tribal entities for their preparedness and response activities regarding the novel coronavirus. This week, Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the Coronayirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, a supplemental spending package that provides resources for federal, state, and local governments to respond to the novel coronavirus, The law provides at least $950 million in grants and direct funding to states, localities, territories, and tribal entities. Of this, the law requires $475 million be allocated within 30 days of enactment. However, it is imperative that HHS allocate funding as soon as possible to help mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus. Nationally, 14 people have died of the disease caused by the virus, COVID-19, and there are over 240 cases of COVID-19 throughout the country, This includes in New Jersey, which reported its first presumptive-positive case of novel coronavirus on March 4" and now has three presumptive-positive cases.' The potential impact of the novel coronavirus will be far reaching. Beyond the public health concerns, the outbreak has the potential to shutter businesses, disrupt transportation, and cause food shortages as well as other significant local and national impacts. As you know, state, local, territorial, and tribal health departments are on the front lines responding to COVID-19. They need the funding provided under this law immediately in order to address this global health threat, including for activities like coordinating medical transportation, housing arrangements, and other needs. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter, and we look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure that states, localities, territories and tribal entities have the resources they need to prepare for and respond to the novel coronavirus. Sincerely, Cory A. Booker ‘obert Menendez United States Senator United States Senator " Antino, Anthony. °N.J. coronavirus update: Fort Lee man, 32 is first to test positive for virus in state.” W/.com, “March 5, 2020. https:/www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/03/nj-coronavirus-update-frt-lee-man-32-is-first-to-test- positve-for-virus-in-state html