(New York) New York deplores 13 deaths “in which hypothermia played a role”, as of 11e day of an exceptional cold snap, announced Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a press conference on Monday.
Published at
“This morning, 16 of our fellow New Yorkers died outside during this period of intense cold. In 13 of these cases, preliminary findings indicate that hypothermia played a role,” Mamdani said, adding that the other three “appear to be due to an overdose.”
None of these people were camping in the street at the time of their deaths, the councilor added. Some had been in contact with emergency accommodation services in the past.
The megacity in the northeastern United States “could very well be experiencing the longest consecutive period of temperatures below 32°F (0°C) in the history of our city,” added the city councilor.
To deal with this situation, the municipality has set up a fleet of 20 vehicles with health personnel on board, as well as emergency warming centers. It has increased its reception capacity in collective and individual shelters.
“To date, we have made more than 930 placements in shelters and reception centers. We also forcibly transported 18 New Yorkers deemed dangerous to themselves or others,” said Mr. Mamdani.
Between 2005 and 2021, New York reported between 9 and 27 cold-related deaths per year, according to official statistics. This figure rose to 34 in 2021 and 54 in 2022.
The city’s financial controller, Mark Levine, estimates the number of homeless New Yorkers at “tens of thousands,” “primarily families with children.” “Nearly 95%” residing in municipal shelters, according to him.
In August 2021, these shelters accommodated 44,586 people, “the lowest daily population in almost ten years,” he specifies.
This figure increased from 22,955 to 62,679 people between January 2000 and January 2020.
