There are record numbers of homeless in shelters and on the streets of New York at a time when being on the streets can expose you to a deadly virus.
The NYPD's Homeless Outreach and Shelter Security Division is trying to protect the homeless from COVID-19.
Eyewitness News talked to a two-member team, NYPD nurse Courtney Cruise - two months on the job before that - years as a nurse at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, and his partner, NYPD officer Joe Musquez, six years on the force - and before that, 14 years as a social worker.
Most police departments don't have officers paired with nurses, but the NYPD does.
"Several teams go out on daily basis to good work," says Officer Musquez.
Officer Musquez says he is not scared.
"I tell myself internally, 'don't touch face, wash hands' - I'm okay," he said.
Musquez's partner, Courtney Cruise says he is worried about what is happening.
"In my role I have to be concerned...I have to look out for the nurses that I work for, the officers I work with, and the individuals I try to help," he said.
Then there is something that most of us do not think about - the effects of wearing a mask and approaching a skeptical stranger who might be sick and needs help.
"It does alter the communication through a mask. An adjustment, because you can't communicate. It's a challenge that has to be overcome, another adjustment we work with every day," said Officer Cruise.
The city's homeless services agency is aware of over 600 positive coronavirus cases among people in city shelters or otherwise lacking stable housing. 43 of them have died as of Monday.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE
UPDATES
Grieving the lost: Tri-State residents who have died
New York state
New Jersey
Connecticut
Long Island
RESOURCES
Where are the testing centers
See how our communities are making a difference
Free educational resources for parents and children
How you can help victims of coronavirus
RELATED INFORMATION
Share your coronavirus story with Eyewitness News
Stimulus check scams and other coronavirus hoaxes
Coronavirus prevention: how clean are your hands?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus
Total count of NYC COVID-19 cases based on patient address