Sixteen people have died during the freezing stretch of weather, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Monday

Preliminary findings showing hypothermia played a role in 13 of the deaths. The three others were overdoses, Mamdani said.

“The greatest danger posed by the sustained cold is to vulnerable New Yorkers who remain exposed to the elements,” he said.  

Mamdani urged residents who are experiencing homelessness to go to shelters. The city has been in a Code Blue since Jan. 19 because of the dangerously cold temperatures. 

Officials are still waiting for the final results from the medical examiner’s office. Mamdani said it appears that none of the people who died were living in homeless encampments. 

Shelters and mobile warming units remain open 

Officials opened new single-room shelter units on Sunday in Upper Manhattan as warming shelters remain open to anyone in the city. There are also 20 mobile warming units across the five boroughs.

The new units are designed for people who are reluctant to go indoors because they don’t want to share rooms or are skeptical of other options.

Mamdani said officials have made more than 930 placements in shelters or safe havens. Eighteen New Yorkers were involuntarily transported who were determined to be a danger to themselves or others. 

“Every single person will be cared for. No one will be turned away,” he said.   

Anyone who sees a person whom they think may need help is asked to call 311. 

Snow cleanup efforts continue 

The mayor commended the sanitation department and other city workers for their efforts to clear the mounds of snow on the city’s sidewalks. 

He highlighted the 122 million pounds of snow melted and the more than 209 million pounds of salt used. 

In: