Ford Motor Company donated 1,000 face shields to UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital which hospital representatives said will help protect employees for at least two weeks. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH - The Ford Motor Company donated 1,000 face shields to UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital as part of their effort to help fight the coronavirus.

According to UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital Director of Fundraising and Business Development Melissa Stagnaro, the donation was completely unexpected, but greatly appreciated by hospital staff.

We started at the beginning of March with 50 face shields in inventory,” said Stagnaro. “Pre-COVID-19 we only used them in certain areas of the hospital and as the virus concerns were raised they were all on backorder.”