The USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), a hospital ship, has departed Norfolk, Virginia, for New York City, where it will help the city's healthcare system during the COVID-19 crisis. The floating Medical Treatment Facility (MTF), with 1,100 navy medical personal and support staff on board, is expected to receive its first non-COVID-19 patients on board within 24 hours of docking in New York.
"The gravity of the mission is understood by every person who comes aboard the ship," said Captain Patrick Amersbach, commanding officer of the MTF aboard Comfort. "We understand that our nation, specifically the people of New York, have requested our assistance and we are ready to respond."
Read the full press statement from the United States Navy here.