NEW YORK - The NYPD is dealing with a serious spike in officers calling out sick because they have the coronavirus, symptoms of the virus or have been around people with the deadly disease.

“We are currently at 3,000 somewhere in that range which is two-thirds higher than what the norm roughly a thousand officers at any given time," said NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Ben Tucker. "That runs about three percent of the total, right now we are running about eight percent of the total."

Tucker says the department is rolling with the changes that the virus is presenting and with a force of 36,000 there are enough officers to patrol the streets.

"To cover anything that is happening across the city," Tucker said.

Similar to the summer all out initiative during high crime months, the NYPD is re-assigning hundreds of officers who have administrative jobs to patrol. Along with focusing on fighting crime, many of them will try to help save lives through enforcement and education about COVID-19 regulations.

"This is the New York City Police Department, due to the current health emergency members of the public are reminded to keep a safe distance of six feet from others while in public places to reduce the spread of the coronavirus,” said an NYPD audio display.

Cop cars around the city are starting to use visual displays and audio to encourage New Yorkers to avoid close contact. And officers are reaching out to community and clergy partners.

"Conversations with elected officials and community members and we are encouraging them to join us in our effort to get the message out there to the communities," Tucker said.

The NYPD says crime overall is down so far this month because of the outbreak, but there are still pockets in the city that are having issues with violence.

But right now the major focus is fighting the virus which could take thousands of lives. The first deputy says some people are still gathering in groups despite pleas not to.

"Sometimes they are tone deaf to and somehow missing how severe the circumstances under which we are living with this virus really are," Tucker said.

"You got to help us, help you as we go through this," he added.