New York Calls on Retired Medical Workers to Join Fight Against COVID-19

New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo (C), New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio (R) and New York state Department of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker hold a news conference on the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in New York, on March 2, 2020. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

As the fast-spreading COVID-19 outbreak threatens to overwhelm health care resources, New York authorities are calling on retired health services professionals, as well as nursing and medical school staff and students, to join the effort to save lives.

Both New York City mayor Bill de Blasio and New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the initiative late Friday.