Discussion held on COVID-19's impact on minority communities
March 1, 2021 at 3:40 PM EST - Updated March 1 at 3:40 PM
U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach, was joined by state lawmakers and local health officials to hold a virtual discussion on the impact of COVID-19 in communities of color.
Panelists discussed underlying health and social inequities that put many racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick, having more severe illness and dying from COVID-19.
Dr. Kitonga Kiminyo said Black residents in Palm Beach County represent about 14 percent of the total coronavirus cases in the county.
However, Kiminyo said that figure jumps to about 25 percent of the patients hospitalized for COVID-19 identify themselves as Black. He said about 18 percent of coronavirus deaths are Black residents.