Hawaii’s Department of Health will spend $14 million to bring in more than 200 additional nurses and other specialists to the state during the next four months to help the state handle the Covid-19 crisis. The funding comes from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relieve and Economic Security Act.

The department contracted with Cincinnati-based healthcare staffing firm ProLink Healthcare.

“As Hawaii faces increases in hospitalizations due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the Department of Health wants to be sure our hospitals have sufficient surge capacity,” said Dr. Elizabeth Char, director of health. “During their time here, these experienced healthcare staff will be providing critical patient care as well as respite for our dedicated local healthcare workforce.”

More than 85% of the positions are for medical-surgical nurses, critical care nurses and telemetry nurses.

The first 134 healthcare workers will arrive from Sept. 26 to Oct. 4 and work in Hawaii for two months. The second wave of approximately 100 workers will arrive on Nov. 1 and also be in the state for two months. The out-of-state workers will be exempted from the mandatory 14-day quarantine for entering Hawaii and they will be regularly tested for Covid-19.