TORONTO - Canada Goose is shifting its factories to start production of medical gear for health-care workers and patients across Canada in an effort to help deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company, best known for its luxury winter parkas, says it will begin making scrubs and patient gowns and start distributing them to hospitals next week.

The gear will be donated locally at no cost.

Companies across the country have moved to shift focus and retool in an effort to produce the supplies needed by medical professionals dealing with the novel coronavirus.

Canada Goose says it will produce the clothing at two of its manufacturing facilities, starting with Toronto and Winnipeg.

Production is set to start early next week with approximately 50 employees per facility and an initial goal of 10,000 units.