Black people more vulnerable to COVID-19
The impact of Covid-19 has been harder on the black population than others, the health minister Kim Wilson revealed yesterday. She said that 88 per cent, or seven, of the eight deaths linked to the coronavirus were black people.
The impact of Covid-19 has been harder on the black population than others, the health minister revealed yesterday.
Kim Wilson said that 88 per cent, or seven, of the eight deaths linked to the coronavirus were black people.
She added: “As we have seen in other countries, the impact of Covid-19 is indeed also worse on black populations here in Bermuda.”
Ms Wilson said that 57 per cent of Covid-19 cases were black people, 39 per cent were white people and 4 per cent were among “other or unknown.”
But she added: “However, 72 per cent of hospitalised cases are black, and most distressingly, 88 per cent of deceased cases are black.”
Ms Wilson said: “The causes are not fully understood anywhere, but it is generally believed that it is due to underlying health and socioeconomic disparities.
“There are higher rates of chronic disease among black populations and a greater likelihood of living in smaller dwellings and higher density areas.”
The 2016 Population and Housing Census Report showed that black people represented about 52 per cent of the population compared with 31 per cent for white people.
Ms Wilson highlighted that the Covid-19 statistics were a “stark reminder” of the importance of preventive measures including mask-wearing, handwashing and social-distancing.
She added that 157 test results had come back between Tuesday — when two positive cases were confirmed — and yesterday, when all results were clear.
The health minister said that a “technical error” on Tuesday meant that instead of 153 results received by the reporting cut-off time, the figure was 127.
The total number of positive cases yesterday was 121 and the age of victims ranged from 18 to 101.
Ms Wilson said that 47 cases were active with seven people in hospital with two of those in critical care.
A total of 66 people have recovered from the disease.
The age range of fatalities was between 57 and 91.
Kim Wilson said that 88 per cent, or seven, of the eight deaths linked to the coronavirus were black people.
She added: “As we have seen in other countries, the impact of Covid-19 is indeed also worse on black populations here in Bermuda.”
Ms Wilson said that 57 per cent of Covid-19 cases were black people, 39 per cent were white people and 4 per cent were among “other or unknown.”
But she added: “However, 72 per cent of hospitalised cases are black, and most distressingly, 88 per cent of deceased cases are black.”
Ms Wilson said: “The causes are not fully understood anywhere, but it is generally believed that it is due to underlying health and socioeconomic disparities.
“There are higher rates of chronic disease among black populations and a greater likelihood of living in smaller dwellings and higher density areas.”
The 2016 Population and Housing Census Report showed that black people represented about 52 per cent of the population compared with 31 per cent for white people.
Ms Wilson highlighted that the Covid-19 statistics were a “stark reminder” of the importance of preventive measures including mask-wearing, handwashing and social-distancing.
She added that 157 test results had come back between Tuesday — when two positive cases were confirmed — and yesterday, when all results were clear.
The health minister said that a “technical error” on Tuesday meant that instead of 153 results received by the reporting cut-off time, the figure was 127.
The total number of positive cases yesterday was 121 and the age of victims ranged from 18 to 101.
Ms Wilson said that 47 cases were active with seven people in hospital with two of those in critical care.
A total of 66 people have recovered from the disease.
The age range of fatalities was between 57 and 91.
