New York hospitals struggle under weight of coronavirus

A doctor in New York has described the new coronavirus pandemic as worse than 9/11. "9/11 was nothing compared to this," Dr Steve Kaspidis told UK broadcaster Sky News. Hospitals in New York are struggling under the weight of the pandemic as more and more people are admitted with the disease every day.

New York state alone has accounted for more than 30,000 cases and close to 300 deaths, most of them in New York City. Kasspidis, an ICU doctor at Mount Sinai Hospital in Queens, said being on the frontlines was "Hell.  Biblical," adding that "People come in, they get intubated, they die, the cycle repeats."

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

(Picture Credit: representative image/AP)