Over 1,000 COVID-19 Deaths in the US... Mortuary Shortages Expected in New York

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] It has been confirmed that the number of deaths due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the United States has exceeded 1,000. In New York, the largest outbreak site, it is expected that a shortage of morgue capacity will occur due to the surge in deaths.

According to The New York Times on the 25th (local time), the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York State has exceeded 30,000, with more than 300 deaths reported so far.

Most of these cases came from New York City, the largest city in the United States. As of the morning of that day, the number of confirmed cases in New York City alone reached 17,856, with 199 deaths.

According to the political news outlet Politico, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio gave a grim forecast that by the time the COVID-19 outbreak ends, half of New York City residents will have been infected.

Accordingly, it is expected that the morgue capacity for the deceased in New York City will reach its limit.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently received reports that New York City morgues could be filled to capacity within the next week, Politico reported citing Homeland Security officials.

As a result, hospital officials reported that a temporary morgue has been set up outside Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, New York.

A spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stated that New York City has requested support for morgue-related facilities and personnel.

A spokesperson for Eiza Wordy Davis, the Chief Medical Examiner's Office of New York City, denied rumors of morgue capacity shortages as unfounded.

He said, "We can expand facilities quite dramatically," adding, "If space runs out, as was the case during the 9/11 attacks, we can prepare mobile facilities to store bodies."

However, he acknowledged, "All hospital morgues in New York are small-scale, so these hospitals may be concerned about capacity shortages."

Meanwhile, according to Johns Hopkins University, as of the night of the 25th, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States was 69,018, with 1,042 deaths reported.