COVID 19's Toll In Wash Heights, Inwood: 506 Deaths, 9,114 Cases

UPPER MANHATTAN, NY — As the year draws to a close, a look at the city's coronavirus data confirms what many Inwood and Washington Heights residents already know too well: the neighborhoods were hit especially hard by the pandemic.

The end of 2020 provides a chance to reflect on the scope of the virus's toll in New York City, and in Inwood and Washington Heights. The coronavirus likely arrived in New York in early February, meaning it has been with us for all but one month of the year.

All told, at least 506 Inwood and Washington Heights residents have died from COVID-19, according to the most recent data released by the city. More than 9,100 cases have been confirmed across the neighborhood's four ZIP codes.

The 10032 ZIP code suffered the most deaths out of the four ZIP codes, with 177 residents dying from the virus in 2020.

"It isn't a coincidence that many of the working class and poor communities are also seeing some of the highest rates of COVID related deaths," Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, who represents both Inwood and Washington Heights, told Patch. "Since the start of this pandemic I have called for a city-wide shutdown, mass testing for all, and temporary housing for the poorest New Yorkers who do not have the luxury of self-isolating."

"Latino, Black, Asian, and low-income communities have been devastated by COVID across the city and in many ZIP codes within my district," Rodriguez added. "We must continue working together to provide the resources and the support underserved communities need."

ZIP codes in Inwood and Washington Heights have consistently recorded the highest positive rates in Manhattan.

After new infections slowed over the summer, the virus has surged again in recent weeks, including in Inwood and Washington Heights.

On Nov. 23, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the area from 133rd Street to 187th Streets as a Yellow Zone. At the time, it was the only area in Manhattan given the distinction.

In the most recently available data from the city, all four of the Inwood and Washington Heights ZIP codes ranked in the top five in Manhattan by the percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive.