GM to supply 30,000 ventilators in $500 mln U.S. contract

(Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday awarded automaker General Motors Co a contract worth $489.4 million to make ventilators needed to treat severely sick coronavirus patients.The Department of Health and Human Services contract is the first for ventilator production under the Defense Production Act, invoked by President Donald Trump to get companies to produce essential gear needed to fight the pandemic.GM will work with ventilator firm Ventec Life Systems to deliver 30,000 ventilators..