Crewmember on USNS Comfort tests positive for coronavirus

A crew member on the Navy hospital ship sent to NYC to help with the coronavirus pandemic has tested positive for the illness, a report said on Monday night.

The individual was being treated in isolation aboard the USNS Comfort, which is docked in Manhattan, and the person not been in contact with any other patients, according to ABC News.

“There is no impact to Comfort’s mission, and this will not affect the ability for Comfort to receive patients,” according to the Navy statement obtained by ABC.

“The ship is following protocols and taking every precaution to ensure the health and safety of all crew members and patients on board.”

Earlier on Monday, President Trump said the ship will treat coronavirus cases — granting Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s request and ending hours of confusion about the ship’s status.

The 1,000-bed Comfort docked off of Manhattan’s West Side last week, with the expectation that it would relieve pressure on city hospitals overrun with coronavirus patients by taking on cases unrelated to the contagion.

But with so few non-coronavirus patients in need of care in the city, Cuomo on Monday asked President Trump to switch tactics.