Coronavirus hospital ship in New York delayed by weeks due to maintenance, Pentagon says

The USNS Comfort is currently docked in Norfolk, Virginia

The US Navy's 1,000-bed hospital ship is weeks instead of days away from getting deployed to New York state as its currently undergoing maintenance, a Pentagon spokesperson says.

It was announced on Wednesday the USNS Comfort was on the way to New York harbour to assist the state in the growing coronavirus pandemic. 

But the ship, which is currently docked in Norfolk, Virginia, is actually undergoing maintenance before it can sail, Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman told reporters, according to Bloomberg. 

The Pentagon is now reportedly expediting maintenance of the ship so it will be available to sail when New York needs it. The US Navy's other hospital ship to be used during the pandemic, the USNS Mercy, is available and expected to set sail for wherever it's needed quicker than the USNS Comfort. Currently, the USNS Mercy is docked in San Diego, California. 

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made the announcement on Wednesday during his daily press conference that President Donald Trump offered the USNS Comfort to assist the state. 

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"It's literally a floating hospital," Mr Cuomo said, calling it an "extraordinary step" for the state to get the ship. He also said the ship would be dispatched "immediately". 

A lack of hospital beds is a large concern in New York state, the governor said. Given how swiftly the coronavirus is spreading, Mr Cuomo estimates New York will need another 50,000 beds for future patients. 

New York state currently has 53,000 hospital beds and 3,000 ICU beds. The number of coronavirus cases in New York is anticipated to peak in 45 days, at which point an estimated 55,000 to 110,000 patients could be hospitalised and 18,600 to 37,200 could need an ICU bed, according to experts.

Mr Cuomo previously urged the president to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to come to the state and build field hospitals. These field hospitals would help house patients infected by the virus. The governor said on Wednesday he would be meeting with members of the Army Corps of Engineers that afternoon. 

Other mandates going into place in New York include the closure of bars, restaurants, gyms, and other community venues state-wide to encourage residents to practice social distancing. People are still able to order takeout or delivery through restaurants. 

Mr Cuomo also issued an executive order to start on Friday that says all nonessential businesses must have their employees work from home. 

There are now 2,382 confirmed Covid-19 cases in New York state, 1,008 of which were identified on Tuesday. Of those cases, 1,339 are in New York City and 16 people have died.