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NYC Outdoor Death Toll Reaches 17 as Deep Freeze Persists

City Council oversight hearings will probe the city's Code Blue response.

Overview

  • Officials report 13 deaths linked to hypothermia and three that appear to be overdoses, with one cause pending confirmation by the medical examiner.
  • The city remains under Enhanced Code Blue, with more than 1,100 shelter placements since Jan. 19 and roughly 20 involuntary hospital transports after clinician determinations.
  • All decedents were found outdoors or on subway trains, and City Hall says none were living in encampments at the time.
  • FDNY EMS union leaders warn of staffing and equipment shortfalls that could hinder responses during sustained extreme cold.
  • Council committees plan hearings beginning Feb. 10 to review outreach and shelter operations as forecasts call for another dangerous Arctic blast this weekend.