EU can cover only 10pc of demand for medical gear, ventilators with standard supply

• Internal estimates from the European executive commission show that the traditional supply will only be able to serve ca. 10pc of the demand.
• The availability and supply of personal protective equipment and other medical devices, in particular ventilators, across Europe remains concerning.

BRUSSELS: European Union states are able to address only 10pc of current demand for personal protective equipment and other medical devices, such as ventilators, against the coronavirus using traditional supply chains, an internal EU document showed on Wednesday.

Internal estimates from the European executive commission "show that the traditional supply will only be able to serve ca. 10pc of the demand"," the Commission said in the document, dated 25 March and seen by Reuters.

"The availability and supply of personal protective equipment and other medical devices, in particular ventilators, across Europe remains concerning," it said, adding that most EU states have limited stockpiles and limited capacity to scale up production.