10 people die in NYC's frigid cold, raising questions about the city's preparedness

"Each is among a growing number of people - at least 10, as of Tuesday - who died after being exposed to the bitter cold that has persisted in New York City since late last Friday. Their causes of death are still under investigation, but some showed signs of having succumbed to hypothermia. Officials said several victims were believed to have been living on the streets. At least six of the fatalities came early Saturday, as the temperature in the city fell to 9 degrees (minus 13 degrees Celsius)."

"With the frigid weather expected to continue, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city was adding additional homeless outreach workers, opening new warming centers and instructing hospitals to limit discharges "to ensure that people who have nowhere to go are kept indoors." But the rising death toll has also prompted questions about whether Mamdani's nascent administration could have done more to protect the city's most vulnerable residents ahead of the Arctic blast and the snowstorm that hit early Sunday."

"One of the victims, a 52-year-old man living in Queens, was found Sunday morning with discharge papers in his pocket showing he had been released from Elmhurst Hospital, a city-run facility, on Friday, according to State Senator Jessica Ramos. By the time of his release, the city had already activated its Code Blue protocols, a set of extreme weather policies that include precautions meant to ensure homeless patients are not released back onto the street. It was not immediately clear if the man, who is originally from Ecuador, had been living outside at the time of his death. Inquiries to City Hall, the Department of Homeless Services and the city's public hospital system were not returned."

At least ten people in New York City died after exposure to bitter cold during an Arctic blast and snowstorm that began late Friday. Several victims showed signs of hypothermia and were believed to have been living on the streets, with at least six fatalities occurring as temperatures fell to 9 degrees (minus 13 Celsius). The mayor announced additional homeless outreach workers, new warming centers and instructions to hospitals to limit discharges. Questions arose about whether the administration could have done more. One victim was found with hospital discharge papers despite Code Blue protocols being active.

Read at Brooklyn Eagle