On Tuesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the day marked three years since the first New Yorker succumbed to COVID-19. The mayor additionally paid tribute to the more than 45,000 New Yorkers who have collectively died to the virus.
“COVID-19 devastated our city, our families, and our lives,” Mayor Adams said. “Today, as we mark three years since we recorded the loss of the first New Yorker to the pandemic, we pause to recognize the pain the past three years have brought, as well as remember the 45,000 lives lost since March 2020 in our city. Despite being the epicenter of this once-in-a-century pandemic, New Yorkers did what we always do – we got up. New York City mounted a brave collective response, driving down COVID-19 rates through multiple waves by getting vaccinated in record numbers – saving lives, and coming back stronger than ever. During this somber moment of reflection, we not only remember the thousands we can no longer hold tight, but we offer our gratitude to the millions of New Yorkers who stepped up heroically throughout this chapter of our shared history. I continue to encourage all to continue to get vaccinated and boosted.”
The pandemic has left a deep scar on New York City: upwards of 3.2 million cases, 211,000 hospitalizations, and 45,000 confirmed and probable deaths have occurred since March 2020.
“The COVID-19 emergency took a devastating toll on our city and on all of us, in ways seen and unseen, felt and yet-to-be felt,” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Each life lost is a mother, a father, a child, or a loved one who is still missed and still mourned. And each life impacted is one we recommit to keeping safe, whether through continued COVID protections and vaccination, supporting them through the challenges of long COVID, or through mental health supports to address trauma and grief. We honor the memories of those lost by redoubling our efforts to keep ourselves, our communities, and each other healthy and safe.”
