By Anthony Payero
(THE BRONX, N.Y.) New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli distributed a new report that examines the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Bronx, which reportedly saw more COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths than any other borough, according to NY1.
As a result, the Bronx has seen a higher unemployment rate than the rest of the boroughs.
Through May 2020, the Bronx's unemployment rate reached 25% at its peak, the highest rate in the city, per NY1.
"The overall takeaway is as we focus on recovery, we have to make sure it's equitable across the city and the Bronx because it got hit particularly hard, deserves a particular attention when we talk about recovery,” DiNapoli told NY1.
The 2020 data shows a moderate increase in the average number of businesses in the Bronx, with 220 new businesses established in the borough.
As a whole, New York City saw an increase in business with less than five employees.
Before COVID-19 hit the Bronx, more than 70% of workers were employed in essential or face-to-face workplaces, per NY1.
The top four industries — health care, retail trade, social assistance and leisure and hospitality — all saw a drop in workers.
As a result, the Bronx saw an 18% decrease in jobs available from the second quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2020, per the data.