Variation in COVID-19 Hospitalizations and Deaths Across New York City Boroughs

Abstract

This study describes demographic characteristics and hospital bed capacities of the 5 New York City boroughs, and evaluates whether differences in testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), hospitalizations, and deaths have emerged as a signal of racial, ethnic, and financial disparities.

Figure.. Rates of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Hospitalizations and Deaths by New York City Borough

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) estimates the number of patients with COVID-19 who have ever been hospitalized through data linkages with the New York City DOHMH syndromic surveillance database and the New York State Department of Health Hospital Emergence Response Data System based on key fields from known cases that are reported by laboratories to New York City DOHMH. Probable COVID-19 deaths are defined by the New York City DOHMH as patients who have no known positive laboratory test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, but for whom the death certificate lists COVID-19 (or an equivalent) as a cause of death. Fifteen deaths were excluded because the borough of residence was unknown. The number of patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized per 100 000 population was 634 in the Bronx; 404 in Brooklyn; 331 in Manhattan; 568 in Queens; and 373 in Staten Island. The total number of deaths per 100 000 population was 224 in the Bronx; 181 in Brooklyn; 122 in Manhattan; 200 in Queens; and 143 in Staten Island. The number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 deaths per 100 000 population was 173 in the Bronx; 132 in Brooklyn; 91 in Manhattan; 154 in Queens; and 117 in Staten Island. The number of probable COVID-19 deaths per 100 000 population was 51 in the Bronx; 49 in Brooklyn; 31 in Manhattan; 46 in Queens; and 27 in Staten Island.