Urgent US Deploys Hospital Ships to Secure Beds Amid COVID-19

Mersy and Comfort Dispatched to Western and Eastern Coasts Respectively

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] As the number of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients surges in the United States, the U.S. Department of Defense has dispatched hospital ships.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 23rd (local time), according to the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy hospital ship Mercy departed from the San Diego Naval Base and is heading to the Port of Los Angeles. The ship plans to begin patient treatment immediately upon arrival.

Captain John Lotruk of the Mercy explained, "All patients will be admitted through a transfer process," adding, "We can treat a variety of patients, from those requiring intensive care to others."

Mercy, which means compassion, has 1,000 beds and dozens of operating rooms. However, it is not equipped with the necessary facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19, so it is expected to play a role in alleviating the bed burden of general hospitals and providing equipment needed for COVID-19 patients.

To prevent onboard infections, Mercy plans to screen all crew members and patients for fever, symptoms, and contact with COVID-19 patients. Additionally, crew members will receive extra measures to prevent infection.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy one hospital ship each to the West Coast and East Coast in response to COVID-19. Mercy has been assigned to the U.S. West Coast according to this plan.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Another hospital ship, Comfort, is preparing for deployment by shortening its originally scheduled maintenance period. Comfort, meaning ease, plans to head to the Port of New York within weeks.

In addition, the United States is constructing large-scale clinics in New York, California, and Washington, where patient numbers are rapidly increasing, by deploying the military and other forces.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.