The Latinx community is being hit the hardest in terms of the number of COVID-19 cases, according to the latest demographics from the Fresno County Department of Public Health.
The rate of Latinx people with COVID-19 in the county is 84.5 for every 100,000 residents. The rate for the next largest group, whites, is 52 for every 100,000 residents. Dr. Elieth Martinez, an internal medicine physician for UCSF Fresno, said the higher rate is due in part to the number of Latinx people doing essential work.
“Our grocery store workers, our field workers, those who work in the environmental services like landscaping. And these again are folks who cannot work from home or shelter in place,” Martinez said.
And when they do contract COVID-19, it's nearly impossible for them to self-isolate, said Martinez.
“The majority of people in the Latino community, they’re housed with their children, aunts, grandmothers, uncles,” said Martinez. “So the community that’s within that household is already large and to ask someone to isolate is difficult.”
Martinez said she's concerned the Latinx community in Fresno County will continue to be disproportionately affected. She encourages those who can social distance and work from home to do so.
