How the USNS Comfort Helps Fight COVID-19

"Mega Machines: Sea Giants" is a Science Channel series about cutting-edge ocean technology. The latest episode, called "U.S. Navy Mega Hospital," features the USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) and is set to air Wednesday, April 15, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

The Comfort is one of the world's biggest Navy hospital ships, and it's currently on the front lines of the COVID-19 epidemic, providing support to the medical community in New York City.

We've got a first-look clip from the series below.

Novel coronavirus patients are being treated aboard the 1,000-bed ship, providing support for a strained medical system, alongside the city's Javits Convention Center, which can house up to 2,500 patients.

Related: Trump OKs Request to Put Coronavirus Patients Aboard Navy Hospital Ship

As with all things related to the pandemic, this is a fast-moving story. According to the New York Post, the ship is currently home to 69 COVID-19 patients. The ship had to cut its potential capacity in half after a crew member tested positive for the disease.

Launched in 1976 as an oil tanker, the ship became a Navy hospital ship in 1987 and has since notably been deployed for both Iraq wars and for the response to Hurricanes Katrina and Maria.

Science Channel is owned by Discovery and is available on most cable systems, DISH Network, DirecTV and streaming services like Philo, Sling, Fubo, Hulu with Live TV and AT&T TV. It also has an on-demand app called SCI GO for streaming, if your TV provider supports a login.

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