Blacks in Louisiana account for a disproportionately high share of confirmed new coronavirus cases, corresponding to a disproportionate number of coronavirus deaths, according to a report released on Friday morning by the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council.
While this disparity was previously suspected, new data released by the state now shows a deeper, albeit incomplete, look at the problem parish by parish. The state previously released data at the state and regional levels, but retained the racial makeup of deaths in parishes with few reported deaths from COVID-19.
Despite comprising only 33% of the state’s population, black residents have accounted for approximately 52% of total coronavirus deaths in Louisiana, according to the report, and are dying at a disproportionate rate in all health regions of the been, except one.
In the Capital Region, confirmed cases of coronavirus in the black community are almost double that of whites. In addition, more than 100 more black people than white residents have died from the virus in the Capital Region.
Last week, the state began releasing data on confirmed cases of COVID-19 by race on a regional and parish basis. Louisiana is among the last states to regularly publish racial data. For the report, PAR compiled local information to determine the state impact of confirmed cases by race.
Read the full report.
