The USNS Comfort sailed into New York Harbor today as the city prepares to increase hospital capacity amid the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
The United States naval ship, now docked at Pier 90 on the West Side of Manhattan, will provide one thousand beds for non-COVID-19 patients. Mayor Bill de Blasio says it will help open up space in the city’s hospitals for the expected onslaught of critical patients who are in need of intensive care.
“What the USNS comfort allows and Javits Center and so many other places being developed right now, is the ability to take all those other patients, and give them care, and each location will be different, but it will allow us to keep the healthcare system going.”
De Blasio says the USNS comfort is a crucial part of their plan as the city works to triple its hospital space by May.