Source: covidtracking.com/race

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies around the country, Blacks, Latinx and Indigenous people are more likely to not only contract the virus, but also die as a result of inequality of access to medical facilities and treatment. As the country begins to enter the cold and flu season, the likelihood of an increase in COVID-19 cases without a proven vaccine will continue, and with it, an even greater gap in the number of deaths within minority communities. Currently the death toll is at approximately 217,000 as of Sunday. This according to the Racial Data Dashboard launched by The Atlantic to track the disparities in minority confirmed cases.

Although the number of patients within the commonwealth are the same, the impact is much greater for non-whites. “We’re seeing disproportionate numbers, high numbers of African American and Latinos in our ICU and regular COVID units,” said Dr. Taison Bell to the Daily Progress. “We’re kind of divided into thirds as far as cases go. Across the country, African Americans are dying at higher rates than any group – up to four times as much in some areas – yet they make up about 8 to 10% of the population.”

Two of the major issues that minority communities face when it comes to the spread of the virus are: the crowded conditions in which they live and chronic medical issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure. In addition, many of them make up the majority of front-line workers which puts them in harm’s way more often than their white counterparts. However, there is another issue that is not as prevalent in the public eye, that has a much more harmful effect, and that is lack of access to healthy food markets.

Most of the high end grocery stores are within access if one has sufficient transportation. However for older individuals who may not be as fortunate, they have to rely on whatever is within walking distance. This means that in minority communities being forced to take in processed foods, which are high in sodium and sugar, which leads to the conditions mentioned above. Poor health conditions can lead to more exposure to the virus and without the adequate resources to fight the virus, it can lead to higher death rates.

On a local level, Prince William County continues to provide free testing in order to control the numbers, and for more details people can click on the link provided. Despite their best efforts, the problems of the virus persists, and until there is a willingness to provide better care in neighborhoods across the county for all races, the death toll will continue to rise.