Second wave worry

AS CORONAVIRUS cases rise across the country, so do concerns about the impact a second wave could have on the BAME community.

When Covid-19 first took hold across the UK in March, it became clear that ethnic minority groups were disproportionally affected.

A number of prominent reviews, from Public Health England (PHE) and Office for National Statistics, confirmed that ethnic groups were disproportionally more at risk of falling seriously ill due to the virus.

Doctors, campaigners and community leaders called for more culturally sensitive guidance, action to tackle ethnic inequalities, as well as urging comprehensive ethnicity data collection, including on death certificates.

PHE published a report of recommendations to help protect the UK’s most susceptible BAME communities in June.

Thus far, it is not clear if all BAME healthcare staff are being given proper risk assessment, and there are now fears that the virus could affect minority communities in a similar way as it did during the height of the pandemic.

Action was needed when the outbreak began – and it is still required now. Without adequate protective measures being put in place, it appears as if ethnic groups will suffer the brunt of the pandemic once more.

The government and health services should take prompt and protective measures seriously as it is imperative we protect our most vulnerable communities from the impact of the virus the second time round.