(Photo: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier)

The Trump administration tapped automaker General Motors to build ventilators in a bid to address the nation's shortage in ventilator supply amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jim Cain, General Motor spokesman, announced the project early Wednesday. He revealed they were will collaborating with Ventec Life Systems to "arm medical professionals" with critical care ventilators needed to treat patients who are suffering from severe coronavirus symptoms.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the automaker will deliver 6,132 ventilators by June 1, followed by 30,000 more by the end of August. They will reportedly produce the medical equipment at its plant in Kokomo, Indiana.

The 490-million-dollar contract is the first contract for ventilator production since U.S. President Donald Trump enacted the Defense Protection Act.

The Defense Protection Act will see all finished products re-routed to the United States' Strategic National Stockpile and distributed to states that need it most.

DIY Ventilators

As supply for ventilators and other necessary medical equipment dwindle, a medical center in Mississipi turned to make their makeshift respirators using supplies found at a local hardware store.

Dr. Charles Robertson, a pediatric anesthesiologist, said he successfully created a $100 ventilator using part available in any city without using any special tools.

The ventilator, which is made from a garden hose, a lamp timer, and an electronic valve, can be assembled in half an hour. As of Tuesday, the University of Mississipi Medical Center (UMMC) had collected more than 170 ventilators, with parts to make 75 more.

"The role of this ventilator is if there's nothing else available," Robertson said. "This could be life-saving."

A UCLA Biodesign Fellow also developed a functioning, low-cost ventilator using parts purchased at Home Depot. The device, they said, could potentially provide much-needed support in treating seriously ill patients during the pandemic.

The fellow is in contact with several manufacturing firms to begin medical-grade production of the devices. Although the team cannot give a final price tag, it is estimated the ventilators would be mass-produced at $1,000 per unit.

'Stockpile at Critical Level'

According to recently released documents, ninety percent of the personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpile is depleted. The Health and Human Services Department has also made its last shipment of medical gear such as N95 respirators and face shields.

The remaining 10 percent of the stockpile will be reserved for federal workers.

The document showed only 11.7 million respirator masks, and more 7,900 ventilators were distributed among states-figures too small when compared to the estimated amount medical workers need.

On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence addressed the issue, saying the government will work on adding newly manufactured resources to the stockpile.

President Donald Trump said the stockpile of ventilators and other medical equipment is sufficient in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The federal stockpile was created in 1999 for computer problems. It was expanded to prepare for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear attacks following the 9/11 tragedy.