USNS Comfort commanding officer: Priority is setting up, preparing to receive patients tomorrow
U.S. Navy hospital ship arrive in New York City to help with patient overflow; Capt. Patrick Amersbach on how the crew is preparing to help.
Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
Capt. Patrick Amersbach, the commanding officer of the treatment facility aboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort, told "Bill Hemmer Reports" Monday that he should be ready to receive patients Tuesday.
"Job one for us is to get set up and make sure we are ready to receive patients tomorrow," said Amersbach, who added that the ship was able to launch its mission to New York City in record time thanks to a "team effort" between the ship's crew and crewmen stationed at the U.S. Navy installation in Norfolk, Va.
TX GOV MANDATES QUARANTINE FOR TRAVELERS FROM 7 MORE STATES, CITIES
The Comfort, which arrived in New York Harbor Monday morning, can hold as many as 1,000 patients at a time and will be used for non-coronavirus-related health care procedures.
"We are coming to the fight with 80 ICU beds, 20 post-anesthesia-care beds and the balance are medical/surgical beds," said Amersbach, who added the ship's wards are geared toward treating military members and are assembled with single beds and a handful of bunk beds.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
The captain told Hemmer that he his working with city officials to determine the flow of patients and who will be cared for o nboard. His crew is also in direct communication with medical professionals at the Jacob Javits Center, which has been converted into a makeshift hospital.
"We are excited to be here and excited to get started. And what a reception we got from New York City," he said.
On the other side of the country, the Comfort's sister ship, USNS Mercy, has docked in Los Angeles to perform a similar function.
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.