USNS Mercy to care for non COVID-19 patients from area hospitals

USNS Mercy arrives at the Port of Los Angeles. The ship will free up space for other area hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients. Photo by Ian Logan

USNS Mercy arrives at the Port of Los Angeles. Photo by Ian Logan

by Cindy Whitehead

The Naval hospital ship USNS Mercy arrived at the Port of Los Angeles this morning, greeted by bugles playing Reveille. The ship is the length of three football fields and tied up at the World Cruise Center, a docking area for cruise ships. The Mercy is equipped with 1,000 beds, operating rooms and a staff of Navy doctors and nurses. Non infectious disease patients from area hospitals will be moved to the ship to make room in the area hospitals for the anticipated surge in COVID-19 patients. No COVID-19 patients will be taken to the ship.

Tugs guide the USNS Mercy to a dock at the World Cruise Center. Photo by Ian Logan

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