Updated: Friday, March 27, 2020
The U.S. Navy hospital ship, the "Mercy" arrived Friday morning at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California. The MTF will treat non Covid-19 patients to help relieve local hospitals. The number of coronavirus cases continues to rise nationwide with over 4201 cases and 85 deaths in California. The state saw a 52% increase overnight with a projected mortality rate of 1.6%. Health officials predict more than 1 million people in California will be infected if the virus continues to spread at its current rate.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to meet Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and visit the ship Friday afternoon. he Mercy will be docked in Los Angeles for at least 2 months. The Navy hospital ship's arrival marks a historic moment in Los Angeles.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
USNS Hospital ship "Mercy" (T-AH-19) departed San Diego, Calif., on Monday (March 23) afternoon as part of the Pentagon's response to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus. On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced that the Mercy would head to Los Angeles to provide additional medical capacity in the region. The Mercy is set to arrive on Sunday, March 29th.
“The Department of Defense has been given direction to dispatch it to Los Angeles immediately. DOD has advised Mercy can get into position within a week or less of today’s order,” FEMA Administrator, Peter Gaynor said in a statement on Sunday.
Navy officials originally thought Mercy’s destination was Seattle, however federal officials determined that California would be in greater need. Los Angeles has surpassed 2,500 cases with 50 deaths reported statewide. California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, is projecting a need for 50,000 hospital beds for a surge of cv19 cases expected during the next 90 days. The Bay Area has more than 800 confirmed cases across four counties. Los Angeles numbers continue to rise, with 662 cases and 11 deaths, including the patient under 18. The 'Mercy' is equipped with 1,000 hospital beds and 800 medical professionals. Most of the staff will be active Navy on duty, along with 58 reservists expected to board. The floating medical treatment facility (MTF) will pull active Navy medical professionals from eight West Coast military treatment facilities.
The “Mercy” will free up hospital beds and serve as a referral treatment facility for patients who are not infected with Covid-19. Nine of Mercy’s 12 operating rooms will be staffed. The ship will provide a full spectrum of medical care to include critical and urgent care for adults, however the MTF does not plan on performing obstetrics care or pediatric care onboard the ship.
