Brownsville, East NY's 2 Pandemic Years: 1,525 Deaths, 74K Cases

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN — 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 Brownsville and East New York, more than 74,000 people in the neighborhoods' five ZIP codes have tested positive since the pandemic began, while at least 1,525 in the neighborhoods' have died from COVID-19, according to Patch's review of city data.

Parts of Brownsville and East New York emerged early on as one of Brooklyn and New York City's hardest-hit neighborhoods by the coronavirus, which had its most devastating impacts in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. At one point, part of the neighborhood was among the 33 hardest-hit neighborhoods identified by the city.

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 Brownsville and East New York ZIP code:

11233

• 17,704 total cases
• 350 deaths
• One out of every 4 people was diagnosed with COVID-19.
• One out of every 212 people died of COVID-19.
• 50,994 people are vaccinated.

11207

• 24,940 total cases
• 488 deaths
• One out of every 3 people was diagnosed with COVID-19.
• One out of every 182 people died of COVID-19.
• 69,814 people are vaccinated.

11208

• 27,383 total cases
• 506 deaths
• One out of every 3 people was diagnosed with COVID-19.
• One out of every 188 people died of COVID-19.
• 76,763 people are vaccinated.

11239

• 4,346 total cases
• 181 deaths
• One out of every 2 people was diagnosed with COVID-19.
• One out of every 71 people died of COVID-19.
• 13,467 people are vaccinated.