Harlem Coronavirus Rates Still Above Neighbors Amid Vaccine Push

HARLEM, NY — Coronavirus rates in Harlem are lower than they were during the citywide surge late last year, but they remain higher than in most other parts of Manhattan, according to the latest city data.

Across Harlem's eight ZIP codes, six had positivity rates above five percent during the week that ended Monday, according to testing data released Thursday. That's higher than most of Manhattan, which had an overall positivity rate of about 3.38.

Still, virus rates in Harlem are much lower than they were months ago, when the second wave wept New York City. In late January, for example, positivity rates in some parts of Harlem stood above 8 percent.

Here is the seven-day testing data in Harlem between March 16 and March 22:

• 10026 – Central Harlem (South): 3.48 percent positivity
• 10027 – Central Harlem (South)/Morningside Heights/West Harlem: 2.64 percent
• 10029 – East Harlem: 6.11 percent
• 10030 – Central Harlem (North): 5.54 percent
• 10031 – Hamilton Heights/West Harlem: 5.44 percent
• 10035 – East Harlem: 5.19 percent
• 10037 – Central Harlem (North)/East Harlem: 5.30 percent
• 10039 – Central Harlem (North)/Washington Heights (South): 6.77 percent

All Harlem ZIP codes except 10026 rank in the top quarter of Manhattan by positivity rate.

Nationwide, COVID-19 cases have dropped steeply since peaking in mid-January, a trend that has been attributed to more widespread social-distancing and mask-wearing, as well as the arrival of the vaccine.

In New York City, however, cases have remained stubbornly in March, which may be caused by the presence of more contagious variants and eased restrictions on gatherings, experts have said.

Citing those numbers, two Manhattan politicians on Thursday called on the city to lift all vaccination eligibility requirements to residents in 30 hard-hit ZIP codes — including all of Harlem.

"We need to put this vaccine effort into overdrive, and we need to do it yesterday," said City Comptroller Scott Stringer, an Upper Manhattan native who unveiled the proposal alongside West Harlem City Councilmember Mark Levine.

We're in a race against COVID-19 variants and against time.

Our communities are still getting hammered.

That's why @MarkLevineNYC and I are proposing to lift vaccine restrictions in 30+ hard-hit neighborhoods as part of a two-step vaccination plan to beat back the virus. pic.twitter.com/zoeJZwmMY4
— Scott Stringer (@scottmstringer) March 25, 2021

Tens of thousands of Harlem residents have already received the vaccine, and a recent survey found that an overwhelming majority of residents want to get it.

Still, some obstacles remain, such as a lack of city-run vaccine sites in East Harlem — the worst-hit neighborhood in the borough.

Related coverage:

• Hard-Hit East Harlem Lags In Vaccine Rollout, Neighbors Fear
• Most Harlemites Want COVID-19 Vaccine Despite Skepticism: Survey