Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

July 9, 2020

Rapid Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in the Greater New York Metropolitan Area: Geolocation, Demographics, Positivity Rates, and Hospitalization for 46,793 Persons Tested by Northwell Health

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  • Northwell Health Laboratories tested 46,793 persons in the greater New York metropolitan area for SARS-CoV-2 from March 4 through April 10, showing that SARS-CoV-2 incidence emerged rapidly and almost simultaneously across a broad demographic population in the region, and finding that 57% (n=26,735) of people tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The total hospitalization rate was 31% of positive persons (n=8,174). There was a broad range (greater than 10-fold) in the cumulative number of positive cases across individual zip codes following documented first case incidents. Test positivity was greater for persons living in zip codes with lower annual household income. 

Reichberg et al. (July 8, 2020). Rapid Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in the Greater New York Metropolitan Area: Geolocation, Demographics, Positivity Rates, and Hospitalization for 46,793 Persons Tested by Northwell Health. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa922