Examining Spatial Inequality in COVID-19 Positivity Rates across New York City ZIP Codes

Authors

Tse-Chuan Yang, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Seulki Kim, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Yunhan Zhao, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Seung-won Emily Choi, Texas Tech UniversityFollow

Date of this Version

5-2021

Citation

Health & Place 69 (May 2021), 102574.

doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102574

Comments

Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. Used by permission.

Abstract

We aim to understand the spatial inequality in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positivity rates across New York City (NYC) ZIP codes. Applying Bayesian spatial negative binomial models to a ZIP-code level dataset (N = 177) as of May 31st, 2020, we find that (1) the racial/ethnic minority groups are associated with COVID-19 positivity rates; (2) the percentages of remote workers are negatively associated with positivity rates, whereas older population and household size show a positive association; and (3) while ZIP codes in the Bronx and Queens have higher COVID-19 positivity rates, the strongest spatial effects are clustered in Brooklyn and Manhattan.