Special FedEx mission transports COVID-19 test specimens for the US government
24 / 03 / 2020
A special operation by FedEx Express helped the US government transport COVID-19 test specimens from more than 50 remote drive-thru testing centres at major retailers across 12 states.
FedEx Express dedicated 28 freighter flight legs, as well as specialised pick-up and delivery operations over the weekend.
FedEx used its patented SenseAware technology and monitoring to help transport the test specimens collected in select US markets to 10 labs operated by Quest Diagnostics and other commercial labs, helping to ensure maximum visibility of the shipments while in transit.
The Department of Health and Human Services aided in collecting, packaging and sealing test sample boxes with the SenseAware devices before they were shipped via FedEx Express First Overnight with Priority Alert monitoring for delivery by 8 am the next day.
The mission, led by the White House, Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was a collaborative effort among retailers and healthcare companies to enable quick processing of COVID-19 test specimens to help prevent spread of the virus.
FedEx Express will continue to provide support seven days a week as more remote testing centres come available across the country.
“We have a great responsibility in these unprecedented times to do what we do best—mobilize our network quickly to help the communities where we live and work,” said Raj Subramaniam, president and chief operating officer, FedEx Corp.
“As the world’s largest cargo airline, we have the ability to flex our operations in some of the most challenging of circumstances. By swiftly taking action to stand up this special operation, we are playing an important role in advancing the speed of delivery for these critical test samples.”
