Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) at Naval Station Norfolk is preparing to deploy to New York City in support of the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts.
Navy officials said the ship will serve as a referral hospital for non-COVID-19 patients currently admitted to shore-based hospitals. (Story continues below the gallery)
The USNS Comfort is expected to leave Norfolk in April. According to Military.com, the Comfort is currently undergoing maintenance in Norfolk. (Video below)
USNS Comfort, a converted supertanker, features 1,000 beds, 12 fully equipped operating rooms and up to 1,200 doctors, nurses and medical specialists.
The Navy said Comfort comes with an array of medical equipment and services, including digital radiology, medical and optometry labs, a pharmacy, a CAT scanner and two oxygen-producing plants.
(Video credit: Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua M Tolbert)