Coronavirus Pandemic's Toll On Bayside, 1 Year Later

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — One year ago today, New York City saw its first confirmed case of COVID-19.

Although the coronavirus likely arrived in New York as early as the beginning of February, the first confirmed case of the virus in the city was a 39-year-old health care worker who returned from a trip to Iran and tested positive on March 1, 2020.

Shortly after that, an Uber driver in Far Rockaway became Queens' first person to test positive for the coronavirus.

On March 14, New York City marked another grim milestone with the first confirmed COVID-19 death: an 82-year-old woman with emphysema.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has said that day will become an annual "Day of Remembrance" for the 29,000 New Yorkers — and counting — who have died of the virus.

Bayside weathered the pandemic better than many other communities in the borough, but the virus still had its toll.

In the three ZIP codes that include a portion of Bayside, 162 people have died of COVID-19, and there have been at least 4,101 cases.

Here's a look at the NYC Department of Health's numbers for each ZIP code:

11360

• Number of cases: 1,039
• Number of deaths: 47
• Cases per 100,000 residents: 5,455
• Deaths per 100,000 residents: 247

11361

• Number of cases: 1,429
• Number of deaths: 67
• Cases per 100,000 residents: 5,419
• Deaths per 100,000 residents: 254

11364

• Number of cases: 1,634
• Number of deaths: 48
• Cases per 100,000 residents: 4,579
• Deaths per 100,000 residents: 135

Meanwhile, the coronavirus vaccine is already making an impact on Bayside.

Thousands in the neighborhood have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine, and Bayside residents are so far getting vaccinated at a higher rate than many other areas of New York City, city data shows.

The numbers only tell part of the story of one year of the pandemic in Bayside. The community mourned the loss of beloved locals and celebrated those who beat the virus. Businesses struggled to stay afloat, and some who lost their livelihood started new ventures.

All the while, neighbors came together to help others in need.