With over half of the total cases in United States and close to 8000 deaths, New York has overtaken the death toll of many European nations and emerged as a major virus hotspot in the US.
What has made the “Big Apple” the epicenter of Covid-19 in the US? NewsMobile examines the reasons:
1. Globalized city-
New York boasts of hosting people from all most all nationalities. It is a financial centre and hosts the UN Headquarters amongst other establishments. With a daily influx of working professionals, tourists and others amounting to a few hundred thousand, the city was the most vulnerable, according to experts, to emerge as the hotspot. However, they also point out that Geneva in Switzerland, though smaller has a similar trend but has bucked the trend till date.
Also Read: COVID-19: Donald Trump halts US funding for World Health Organization
2. Population density-
The city with its elaborate suburbs and satellite cities is a major urban centre of North America and has a population density of 27,000 which is the highest in the US. However, most Asian cities such as New Delhi and Tokyo have higher population densities and are managing better than New York.
The average population density of any Asian city is well above 40,000, in fact.
3. Higher number of tests carried out-
According to epidemiologists in the US, the state has been carrying out higher number of tests per population size compared to other states in the US. This could be attributed to enhanced medical care facilities in the state and increased awareness along with better insurance coverage.
4. Large clusters in New York-
New York boasts of sky scrapers and also large cluster of dwellings for the Lower Income Group and Middle-Income Group of individuals. It is generally believed that it is tougher to contain the spread of this virus in large clusters. One infected person can then easily spread the virus to others throughout the cluster, thereby infecting others. This can then spread to others in the region and beyond.
5. Analysis of Air traffic data-
This is an important task that needs to be carried out to ascertain as to why the virus has penetrated New York with this kind of intensity.
Over 5,000 commercial flights operate out of New York everyday and this is a potential disaster that was waiting to take place.
US President Donald Trump refused to ban international flights till the very end in March. India initiated this process in January itself when it banned flights to and from China and stepped up its screening facilities at all airports and sea ports.
Experts are of the opinion that no single reason can be attributed towards this city emerging as an epicentre and only a combination of the reasons have led to New York battling the current crisis situation.
Significantly, while Trump looks keen to lift the lockdown in many places, New York Governor has expressed his intention to continue the lockdown and has disagreed with the President.