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World Americas

Army to deploy to New York after Trump declares major disaster, mayor views sites for more hospital beds

2 people die an hour in pandemic in NYC



A pedestrian wears a face mask while crossing West 34th Street in New York on Thursday, March 12, 2020.
Image Credit: AP

Washington : Donald Trump has declared New York State a major disaster area as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases skyrocketed and New York City was declared the epicenter of the US outbreak by city Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The US military will now be called in, and the US Army Corps of Engineers have said they plans to take over hotels, sports arenas, college dorms and other buildings in a bid to bolster the number of available hospital rooms.

Logistical support

De Blasio had urged Trump to send in the military and its logistical support to hard-hit New York State, California and Seattle on Wednesday.

Times Square is seen largely empty as the coronavirus disease outbreak continued in Manhattan, New York City
Image Credit: REUTERS

On Friday de Blasio said: "We constitute 30 percent of the cases in the US and 70 per cent of the cases in New York State. Whether we like it or not, we are the epicenter."

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The president's declaration comes as a hospital in the Bronx revealed it is running low on ventilators and a Queens doctor revealed that an elderly patient experiencing coronavirus symptoms died on the hospital ward floor.

New York reviewing sites for more hospital beds, Cuomo says

New York is reviewing places to put new hospital beds in response to the coronavirus outbreak, including New York City's main convention center and some state university campuses, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday.

Boost hospital capacity

The goal is to get hospital capacity, which now stands at around 50,000, up to 75,000 beds, Cuomo said at a news briefing.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 13: A worker sits in an empty gift shop in New York's Chinatown on February 13, 2020 in New York City. Gregg Bishop, commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services in New York, has said that revenues are down around 40% in Chinatown as fears continue over the coronavirus. There are no confirmed coronavirus cases in New York City and the city is urging people to visit Chinatown to shop and dine. Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==
Image Credit: AFP

Possible locations for temporary hospitals, which would be operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, include Stony Brook University and SUNY College at Old Westbury on Long Island and the Westchester County Center, in addition to Manhattan's Javits Center, Cuomo said.

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"Everything that can be done is being done," he said.

Officials have identified 2 million face masks that can be sent to hot spots, Cuomo said, and apparel companies are pivoting to make masks. One million mask are being sent to New York City hospitals Saturday, and 500,000 to Long Island, he said.

The state is also rounding up ventilators from around the state and purchasing 6,000 to deploy to the most critical areas, Cuomo said.

Officials are requesting four military field hospitals with 250 beds each, Cuomo said.

The state's COVID-19 caseload is now at 10,400, with about 1,600 people hospitalized.

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