Bronx Zoo Tiger tests positive for COVID-19

By Síle Moloney

Reports began circulating on social media on Sunday, April 5 that a tiger at the Bronx Zoo tested positive for coronavirus, prompting people to ask why, given the City’s back-log in COVID-19 testing, the animal appeared to be given priority. Dr. Paul Calle, Bronx Zoo chief veterinarian, provided the following response via Twitter, “The COVID-19 testing that was performed on our Malayan tiger Nadia [pictured] was performed in a veterinary school laboratory and is not the same test as is used for people.” Calle added, “You cannot send human samples to the veterinary laboratory, and you cannot send

By Síle Moloney

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the 11-year-old female in the attached photo who resides in Soundview, within the confines of the 43rd precinct. Details are as follows: Missing: Cyrie Scott 11-year-old female 1715 Bruckner Blvd Bronx, NY It was reported to the police that Scott was last seen Saturday, April 4, 2020 at 10:50 p.m. at her residence. She is described as female Black, 5’3″, 110lbs, thin build, medium complexion, brown eyes with black hair. She was last seen wearing pink sweat pants and gray Ugg boots. Anyone with information with regard

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Community Board 7 confirmed on Saturday, April 4 that NYCEDC have authorized the use of the Kingsbridge Armory by NYC Emergency Management in collaboration with the National Guard and NYC TLC for food packaging and delivery. Families that sign up through this portal can register for a box with 2 days’ worth of food and have them delivered by TLC-registered taxi drivers. Criteria for families are below and TLC-licensed drivers can sign-up here to work on this campaign. They are compensated at $15/hour plus $5/hour for expenses. Please see below for details on each of these programs. The GetFoodNYC

By Síle Moloney

District Manager, Ischia Bravo, is calling on Bronx Community Board 7 residents to complete a brief survey, to better assess the needs of residents and match them to services and/or resources during the pandemic. The collated feedback will help the Board to get resources to those who need them. Click here to access the survey.

Bronx Leads First New York State COVID-19 Drug Trial

By Síle Moloney

A new drug trial treatment is underway at the Moses Campus of Montefiore Health System using the experimental drug, remdesivir, which might help patients with serious COVID-19 complications. The Montefiore site is the first one to open in New York State as part of an international multi-center effort to fight the deadly disease which has taken close to 60,000 lives worldwide since it was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. According to a press release, Montefiore Health System, in conjunction with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, has joined an international clinical trial which is taking place across 46

By DAVID GREENE

Four women, who were next-door neighbors, died in two separate top floor apartments after a fast-moving blaze tore through several apartments in a six-story building in Mount Eden on Tuesday, March 31. Firefighters responded to a 911 call at 1560 Grand Concourse, at East Mt. Eden Avenue, just before 7:30 p.m. NYPD confirmed that the FDNY suppressed a fire on the 6th floor of the building in apartment #603, where it had started. “Two females from inside apartment #601 and two females from apartment #602 were transported to BronxCare Health System, where they were pronounced deceased,” the NYPD statement

By Síle Moloney

Mount Sinai researchers are tracking COVID-19 across New York City through a program called STOP COVID NYC. The public’s participation in the program survey will help healthcare workers and government officials advise the community on how to slow COVID-19 transmission in New York City. Public participation in the ongoing survey could also help predict smaller outbreaks within neighborhoods of New York City and enable Mount Sinai to alert medical professionals in those affected areas and allocate resources accordingly. Who Can Participate? Everyone. Mount Sinai is collecting information and tracking symptom development from all New York City residents and workers. The

By Síle Moloney

New measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus were announced on April 2. NYC Parks’ playgrounds and the amenities contained within, such as basketball courts, handball courts and restrooms, are closed until further notice. The citywide enforcement effort to encourage social distancing among park-goers remains in place, involving multiple City agencies, including NYPD, OSE, the Sheriff’s Office, DEP, DSNY, DOB, and FDNY. The City will continue to monitor conditions and determine if more severe restrictions are necessary. As it stands, violators of social distancing requirements will be fined between $250-$500 per violation. The new penalties are needed

By Síle Moloney

NYC Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee (REMAC) is requesting the public to adhere to new protocol when it comes to minor illness or injury. A press release issued on April 2 contained the following information. “In an effort to protect our residents and our Essential First Responders, specifically our EMTs and Paramedics, the NYC Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee (REMAC), has revised several regional protocols. The following refers to the most recent: 1. To maintain a functioning EMS System the staffing requirements have been relaxed to allow 911 ALS units to operate with 1 paramedic and 1 EMT,