COVID-19: NYC announces strategic reserve, new ventilators

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced the city has set up a strategic reserve for the production and stockpiling of medical equipment. He said the first purchase includes 3,000 "bridge" ventilators.

The ventilators, part of a $10 million order will allow life-saving interventions and allow more full-featured ventilators to be used for more seriously ill patients.

The purchase, "guarantees us a lot of strength going forward if we ever deal with again a rebound of this disease," de Blasio said.

The mayor also announced new testing facilities in the five boroughs.

De Blasio also said when social distancing and stay at home orders are lifted, health care workers and first responders will be honored with a ticker tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes.