- The New York National Guard is helping New York City's medical examiner in picking up dead bodies around New York City.
- Around 150 National Guard soldiers are assisting in the effort.
- They are using Enterprise rental vans as 'additional vehicles' are needed, the National Guard told the Daily Mail.
- The assistance comes as New York faces its highest death rates so far from the coronavirus.
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As New York faces its highest death rates so far from the coronavirus, the New York National Guard has stepped in to help collect dead bodies around New York City.
Around 150 National Guard soldiers are assisting New York City's medical examiner in collecting bodies.
"National Guard personnel are working with members of the Medical Examiner's Office to assist in the dignified removal of human remains when required," the National Guard said in a statement.
"There are approximately 150 New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assisting with this mission," it said. "The National Guard Soldiers are joined by 49 Soldiers assigned to the active Army's 54th Quartermaster Company, now providing staff assistance to the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner."
New York state is experiencing its highest death rates so far from the coronavirus. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Thursday that the day prior, at least 799 people died in the state from the coronavirus.
In a photo from the Daily Beast, soldiers are seen loading a body into a rented Enterprise van. The National Guard confirmed to the Daily Mail that the rental vans were used as "additional vehicles" are needed.
Enterprise did not respond to a request for comment about the details of the arrangement.
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NEW must read story from @pbmelendez and @MichaelDalynyc
w/ a striking photo, taken earlier this week, of the National Guard loading bodies into an Enterprise rental vanhttps://t.co/sOZRiOBBi5
- Erin Banco (@ErinBanco) April 8, 2020