Disparity in COVID cases in Va. minority communities renews calls for adequate testing
Richmond, VA (ABC7) --- Wednesday afternoon, Governor Ralph Northam said he is forming a workgroup that will identify ways to reduce healthcare costs and increase coverage across Virginia.
The news was announced as the number of Latinos and African Americans who are diagnosed with COVID-19 continues to increase.
RELATED: VISUALIZING COVID-19: Disproportionate impact on the DC area's Latinx & black populations
As of Wednesday, Virginia's Department of Health is reporting 5,082 COVID-19 cases among African Americans in the Commonwealth. That is 23% of cases that have racial and ethnic data. Not all cases contain that information. The numbers also include a staggering 226 deaths (24% of overall deaths).
The Latinx community has seen 10,167 cases or 46% of COVID-19 cases that reported race and ethnicity in Virginia. The numbers also include 87 deaths (10% of overall deaths).
RELATED: Va. group wants protections for minority communities disproportionately impacted by virus
“The poor and marginalized are being affected with this virus at such an incredible rate," said Fairfax County NAACP President Sean Perryman. "So, we talk about flattening the curve, but there are almost two curves going on.”
Perryman's organization, along with CASA Neighborhood Health and other local organizations are pushing for better health coverage across minority communities where many front line workers live in homes with large numbers of family members.
"I don’t think there are easy solutions," said Perryman. "We need a lot of top-down leadership from the federal government and we haven’t seen it. We need increased testing, we need contact tracing, we need more PPE.”
7 On Your Side also asked Northam about the racial disparities.
“Can you update the Commonwealth about what your administration is doing to help minority communities get better access to coronavirus testing as well as healthcare,” asked ABC7 Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Tim Barber.
“It is important to us, especially as we move forward, and now in phase 1 and hopefully going in phases 2 and 3, that we have adequate testing and that testing is available for everybody,” replied Northam.
He also touted the Democrat's work expanding Medicaid and creating a Health Equity Task Group that shares testing sites with the community and provides information about free health clinics.
