65K hospital beds needed in NY by end of April

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Wednesday the city needs an additional 65,000 hospital beds to help in the fight against the coronavirus.

Bill de Blasio said the New York had a "tremendous start" with some 20,000 beds already in operation.

More than 12,000 people infected with the virus are hospitalized across New York state.

De Blasio said he was confident city health workers will have the required Personal Protective Equipment to aid in their work.

The virus, which causes the disease COVID-19, has spread rapidly across the globe.

It causes mild symptoms in many of those infected, but it can cause severe symptoms or death for some, including older adults and those with underlying medical conditions such as respiratory ailments.