USNS Comfort is ready to assist hurricane victims

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Wednesday, October 18, 2017
USNS Comfort is ready to assist hurricane victims
USNS Comfort is ready to assist hurricane victims. Registered Nurse Ali Gorman reports during Action News at 5 p.m. on October 17, 2017.

Despite emergency help available in Puerto Rico, many people are having trouble finding the right assistance.

The U-S-N-S Comfort is a Navy ship that is basically a state-of-the-art floating hospital.

There are operating rooms and intensive care units.

The ship's commander says they have 250 beds.

A CNN report finds only 33 of those beds are being used.

Meanwhile, many patients like Sammy, who has cerebral palsy are suffering.

"I feel horrible because I can't help him," Sammy's dad said.

"I know that we have capacity. I know that we have the capacity to help. What the situation on the ground is, that's not in my lane to make a decision,"Ship's commander said.

Local hospitals and clinics say the Department of Health decides who to send. The Governor admits there is a disconnect in communication.

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