Multiple coronavirus patients are mistakenly transferred to New York hospital ship

Multiple coronavirus patients have been mistakenly transferred to a New York military hospital ship that was meant to be ‘virus-free’ and only used for trauma patients, according to a new report.

Less than five patients were transferred from the city’s makeshift Javits Center to hospital ship Comfort on Friday, reported Fox News.

At the time, screenings did not indicate they were positive for the deadly virus, three US officials told the outlet.

The ship, which arrived in New York City on Monday, had been fighting to stay in a coronavirus-free ‘bubble’ so as not to risk bringing the disease on board, its medical officer said. 

The 1,000-bed USNS Comfort, previously deployed to conflict and natural disaster zones, was sent to Manhattan to ease the strain on health centers in the city at the epicenter of America’s outbreak by caring for patients other than those diagnosed with the virus.

By Friday it had received 21 patients, according to the ship’s press officer Lieutenant Commander Amelia Umayam.

‘We consider the USNS Comfort to be in a bubble,’ said medical officer Captain Patrick Amersbach as he explained the procedures followed by the ship’s crew to shield it from the virus, including not disembarking for as long as it is docked.

Patients are arriving directly from New York hospitals and will be screened in advance to make sure they are free of the coronavirus.