Harlem's 2 Pandemic Years: 1,666 Deaths, 84,000 Cases

HARLEM, NY — As most eyes were focused on New York City's reopening and the loosening of virus restrictions, the city quietly marked a somber anniversary last month: two years living with COVID-19.

Since the first person was diagnosed on Feb 29, 2020, nearly 40,000 New Yorkers have died from COVID-19, while 2.2 million have contracted the virus.

In Harlem, more than 84,000 people have tested positive since the pandemic began, while at least 1,666 Harlemites have died from COVID-19, according to Patch's review of city data.

Since the pandemic's frightful early days in spring 2020, Harlem emerged as one of Manhattan's hardest-hit neighborhoods by the coronavirus, which had its most devastating impacts in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods.

Within Harlem, the 10029 ZIP code in East Harlem suffered the most deaths, with 428 residents losing their lives to the virus. As a share of its population, the neighboring 10035 ZIP code was hardest-hit, with a rate of 627 deaths per 100,000 people.

Beyond the raw numbers, of course, are the countless lives touched by the pandemic: the thousands of Harlem residents whose loved ones died from the virus, who lost their jobs, or were otherwise affected by school closures or canceled plans.

Here's a look at the virus' toll in numbers in each Harlem ZIP code:

10026 — Central Harlem (South):

• 9,012 total cases
• 128 deaths
• 331.05 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 19.8 percent of people tested who tested positive.

10027 — Central Harlem South/West Harlem/Morningside Heights:

• 13,741 total cases
• 226 deaths
• 356.5 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 17.72 percent of people tested who tested positive.

10029 — East Harlem:

• 20,842 total cases
• 428 deaths
• 547.14 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 22.61 percent of people tested who tested positive.

10030 — Central Harlem North:

• 6,729 total cases
• 127 deaths
• 433.89 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 21.39 percent of people tested who tested positive.

10031 — Hamilton Heights/West Harlem:

• 13,703 total cases
• 249 deaths
• 421.87 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 21.54 percent of people tested who tested positive.

10035 — East Harlem:

• 9,268 total cases
• 261 deaths
• 740.64 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 21.05 percent of people tested who tested positive.

10037 — Central Harlem North/East Harlem:

• 5,031 total cases
• 124 deaths
• 596.34 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 21.1 percent of people tested who tested positive.

10039: Central Harlem North:

• 6,239 total cases
• 123 deaths
• 452.53 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 22.13 percent of people tested who tested positive.

Related coverage: 1,000 Dead, 20,000 Cases: Harlem Marks 1 Year Of COVID-19