US hospital doctor offers glimpse of virus battle

A doctor on the frontline of New York City's battle against the new coronavirus has provided a rare glimpse into how hospitals are coping with the emergency.

Dr. Sanam Ahmed recorded a first person story of her weekend overnight shift at Mount Sinai hospital.

"I feel optimistic. I feel hopeful because as a critical care physician, this is what we've trained for," the pulmonary specialist said.

"We know that this is what we have to do and we know that we're well equipped to do it," the mother of four added.

More people have died from the coronavirus in New York City than perished in the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

At least 4,000 people have been killed in the city by the virus, according to a new count released by state health officials.

The deadliest terror attack on US soil killed 2,753 people in the city.

The coronavirus death toll has mounted over the course of just a few weeks.

The city recorded its first fatality on March 13, less than two weeks after confirming its first infection.

So many seriously ill patients are anticipated before the peak of the outbreak that New York City is preparing to turn all its 20,000 permanent hospital beds into intensive care ones, while trying to add 65,000 temporary beds for other patients.

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