PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. –
U.S. Northern Command, the Department of Defense's lead for COVID-19 operations in the United States, is working closely with the State of New York to ensure DOD medical support evolves to best relieve pressure on the New York hospital system.
Accordingly, the DOD adjusted its medical support efforts to better assist the people of New York by directing the USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) to admit patients who tested positive for COVID-19. USNS Comfort is accepting trauma, emergency and urgent care patients without regard to their COVID-19 status.
The Javits Center, now named the Javits New York Medical Station, continues to be DOD's primary facility for COVID-19 patients. Javits New York Medical Station has the ability to treat approximately 1,000 patients. With the arrival of four U.S. Army Reserve Urban Augmentation Medical Task Forces, the Javits Center will expand its capacity.
Additionally, at the direction of U.S Northern Command, more than 300 DOD medical professionals began arriving and providing support to 11 public hospitals in New York City.
Each of the hospitals is receiving between 20 to 30 military medical personnel to augment the hospital staff as part of the larger DOD effort in support of the national COVID-19 response.
U.S. Northern Command is leading DOD’s operations against COVID-19 in the United States.