NEW YORK - The United States Navy confirms one if its crewmembers onboard the USNS Comfort has tested positive for the coronavirus.

It comes as efforts begin to treat patients for the virus exclusively are expected to begin Tuesday.

The Navy says the crewmember is being isolated from patients and other personnel onboard and will not affect the ship's ability to receive and treat patients.

In a statement, the Navy said they are "following protocols and taking every precaution to ensure the health and safety of all crewmembers and patients on board."

Upon its arrival to the city, the ship was first meant to treat patients with other illnesses to free up hospital beds.

Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday made a request to President Donald Trump to have the ship receive coronavirus patients.

“The President spoke to the Department of Defense and granted that request to use the Navy ship Comfort for COVID patients. An additional 1,000 beds with personnel managing that shop. So that is a welcome relief," Cuomo said during an interview on MSNBC Monday night.

President Trump said New Jersey will also use the ship, in addition to New York.

The Javits Center underwent a similar shift. It was originally envisioned to take non-coronavirus patients only, but Cuomo announced on Thursday that it would be taking coronavirus patients, citing a dramatic increase in COVID-19-positive patients.