Astoria, Long Island City's 2 Pandemic Years: 700 Dead, 51K Cases

ASTORIA, QUEENS — With most eyes were focused on New York City's reopening and the loosening of virus restrictions, the city quietly marked a somber anniversary on Monday: two years since its first confirmed death from COVID-19.

It was on March 14, 2020 that an 82-year-old woman became the city's first confirmed fatality from the coronavirus — to be followed by nearly 40,000 of her fellow New Yorkers.

That includes at least 714 residents of Astoria and Long Island City who died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to Patch's review of city data. More than 51,400 Western Queens residents have tested positive over the past two years.

Some neighborhood ZIP codes suffered more than others. The 11102 ZIP code in northwestern Astoria had the most total deaths — 185 — and the highest death rate — 615 per 100,000 people — of any in the area. Its death rate is the 21st-highest among the city's 177 ZIP codes.

Meanwhile, Long Island City's two ZIP codes have experienced the lowest death rates in Western Queens. The 11109 ZIP code, covering just a couple of waterfront blocks in the Hunter's Point area, has reported only three deaths since the pandemic began.

The bulk of Western Queens's virus deaths came during the first year of the pandemic, before the vaccines became available, according to the data. Last March, upon the first anniversary of New York's first COVID death, the same six ZIP codes had recorded 403 deaths — a figure that makes up about 54 percent of today's total.

On the other hand, far more Astoria and Long Island City residents were infected with the virus during the second year compared to the first. Only 12,021 people had tested positive for COVID-19 by March 15, 2021 — about one-quarter of the total as of this week.

"This pandemic has caused incalculable suffering and pain for our families, friends, and neighbors," Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement Monday, marking the anniversary of the first death.

"As we work to recover and rebuild New York City, we must remember those that we have lost, and carry on their stories. We will never forget their names, their faces, or the ways they have shaped this great city, and we recommit ourselves, in their memories, to remake our city into one that is more just, equitable, and resilient."

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

11101 — Astoria south/Long Island City/Sunnyside:

• 10,841 total cases
• 109 deaths
• 295.91 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 16.73 percent of people tested who tested positive.

11102 — Astoria north:

• 8,968 total cases
• 185 deaths
• 615.75 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 21.26 percent of people tested who tested positive.

11103 — Astoria east:

• 10,858 total cases
• 130 deaths
• 372.09 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 22.85 percent of people tested who tested positive.

11105 — Ditmars Steinway:

• 9,569 total cases
• 145 deaths
• 400.66 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 21.7 percent of people tested who tested positive.

11106 — Astoria south:

• 9,828 total cases
• 142 deaths
• 379.39 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 21.31 percent of people tested who tested positive.

11109 — Long Island City:

• 1,338 total cases
• 3 deaths
• 52.06 deaths per 100,000 residents
• 15.84 percent of people tested who tested positive.