National Guard Prepares Javits Convention Center for New York City Patients
Members of the New York Army National Guard prepared the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan on March 25 to receive patients as a temporary medical facility, as COVID-19 patients began to overwhelm city hospitals.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced plans on March 21 to arrange some 1,000 beds in four field hospitals at the site, with the option of 1,000 additional beds for “lighter medical care” at the center.
This footage shows members of New York Army National Guard’s 133rd Composite Supply Company, part of the 53rd Troop Command, getting the site ready.
According to the Javits Center’s website, the medical facilities at the site will be used to “house non-COVID-19 patients and relieve the burden on local hospitals.”
The Javits Center is generally home to large conventions. Earlier this month, the center was packed with attendees of a wine and spirits trade show.
As of Wednesday evening, New York City had recorded over 20,000 positive cases of COVID-19, and at least 280 deaths from complications of the virus, according to the mayor’s office. Credit: US Air National Guard via Storyful
