Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced that the state will provide nearly $70 million for hospitals and nursing homes across Georgia for staff augmentation through early March. Kemp noted Covid-19 presents a once-in-a-century crisis and the funding will help ensure there is enough staff to care for patients and deliver the vaccines.

“To date, the state has done everything in its power to support our healthcare facilities with plans to spend approximately $250 million on additional staff by the end of 2020,” Kemp said. In addition, the state is committing nearly $70 million through early March to shore up staffing at hospitals and long-term care facilities to care for Covid-10 patients and administer the vaccine.

The funding will go to an extension of a contract with Jackson Healthcare.

“We are proud to work with the state in assisting our great healthcare providers throughout Georgia care for patients during this incredibly trying time,” said Shane Jackson, president of Jackson Healthcare.