USNS Comfort Crew Member Contracts Coronavirus: Reports

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A crew member serving aboard the USNS Comfort hospital ship docked in Midtown Manhattan has tested positive for coronavirus, according to reports.

The crew member tested positive for the deadly virus Monday and will spend days in isolation aboard the ship, which is currently docked at Manhattan's Pier 90, ABC News first reported. The Comfort worker's test was announced the same day military officials agreed to begin treating coronavirus patients on the ship, but the crew member isn't believed to have interacted with any patients, according to the report.

"There is no impact to Comfort’s mission, and this will not affect the ability for Comfort to receive patients," a Navy statement sent to ABC News reads. "The ship is following protocols and taking every precaution to ensure the health and safety of all crewmembers and patients on board."

Crew members who came in contact with the sick worker will spend time in isolation before returning to work if they test negative for the virus, ABC News reported.

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The Comfort, which has treated 41 patients since docking at Midtown Manhattan's Pier 90 last week, will accept all patients that New York City EMS transports to the hospital ship, Joint Staff Surgeon Brigadier General Paul Friedrichs said Monday. Patients who test positive for coronavirus are being treated in an isolated part of the ship to prevent the virus' spread to non-coronavirus patients.

"We are treating whatever patient is sent to us by the New York EMS there. The hospital ship is designed to take care of trauma patients, and that's what we originally offered. To serve as an overflow, if you will, for emergency rooms," Friedrichs said during a press briefing.

The 2,500-bed facility at the Javits Center remains the military's preferred location for coronavirus patients transferred from New York City hospitals to the federal medical centers, Department of Defense Spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman said during the briefing.

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