NYC police cleared to seize unused ventilators

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio says city agencies will support the state government effort to acquire ventilators and personal protective equipment needed to fight the spread of the coronavirus.

With coronavirus deaths surging in New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday he will use his authority to seize ventilators and protective gear from private hospitals and companies that aren’t using them.

It is one of the most aggressive steps yet in the US to relieve severe shortages of equipment needed to fight the scourge.

“We will act in tandem with this effort. I am authorizing the NYPD, the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) , the Sheriff's Office in New York City, to immediately support the efforts to acquire these supplies from these private sources," Mayor de Blasio said.

De Blasio has said New York, the worst hot spot in the nation, could run out of ventilators - a key medical equipment for health workers -  next week.

The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.