The deaths of the patients at Elmhurst Hospital in New York took place over the last 24 hours, a statement from a spokesman said, as one of the hardest hit states sees a surge in cases.

However, NYC Health and Hospitals/Elmhurst said in a statement that number is consistent with the number of Intensive Care Unit patients being treated there.

"Staff are doing everything in our power to save every person who contracts Covid-19," the statement said.

Elmhurst is at the center of the crisis, the statement said, and staff is working to overcome the overwhelming numbers.

"The frontline staff are going above and beyond in this crisis, and we continue surging supplies and personnel to this critical facility to keep pace with the crisis," the statement said.

"We are literally increasing the effective capacity of the hospital on a daily basis by sending more doctors, nurses, ventilators and PPE to meet demand."

The New York Times reported that some patients waiting for a bed at the 545-bed facility died in the emergency room, and a refrigerated truck sits outside to hold bodies.

"It's apocalyptic," Dr. Ashley Bray, 27, a general medicine resident told the Times.

Photos from outside the hospital show a long line of patients waiting outside for a COVID-19 test.

New York has ordered residents to stay at home to curb the spread of the virus and hopefully ease pressures on healthcare systems.