SAN PEDRO (CBSLA) — A second crew member aboard Naval hospital ship USNS Mercy has tested positive for COVID-19, the ship’s captain told CBSLA Friday.
According to the captain, the crew member and 53 others have been taken off the ship as a precaution.
The captain said the case was not going to affect the ability for the ship to receive patients.
On Wednesday, the Navy confirmed the first cases of COVID-19 on the ship.
The crew member reported on Wednesday was being isolated aboard the ship and was set to be transferred to an off-ship facility.
Governor Gavin Newsom Friday Friday that seniors from local care homes will be moved onto the Mercy to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19.
“They are affording us the opportunity to prioritize that population by using an incredible asset that the Mercy provides us,” Newsom said.
The Governor said the Mercy will only house seniors who have tested negative for COVID-19
The Naval hospital ship arrived at the Port of Los Angeles on March 28 to help relieve local hospitals staggering under an onslaught of coronavirus cases.
The ship, which left from San Diego days prior, is being used to treat non-coronavirus patients so land-based regional hospitals can treat those with COVID-19.
USNS Mercy has 1,000 beds, 12 operating rooms, and 800 Navy medical personnel and support staff. The floating hospital can provide a range of services, including critical care for adults.
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