Fears grow over spread of Covid-19 during protests

A US coronavirus expert warned protesters in the country that widespread demonstrations risk causing a sharp increase in the number of infections.

Deborah Birx, response co-ordinator for the White House Covid-19 task force, said she was worried about the health of protesters who had taken to the streets nationwide.

She told a discussion hosted by the German Marshall Fund’s Brussels Forum that Washington was working to ensure demonstrators were tested for the virus to curb its spread during the unrest.

“We are really trying to work with each of the mayors to expand testing availability over the next week or two so that the people who are involved in the peaceful protests can get tested and really know their status before they unknowingly spread it,” Dr Birx said.

African Americans and other ethnic minority groups have been disproportionately affected by the outbreak, she said.

Data compiled from hospitals in 14 US states showed African Americans represented 33 per cent of coronavirus patients, despite making up only 13 per cent of the US population.

Dr Birx said several factors meant African Americans appeared more susceptible to infection.

African-American communities tend to live in densely populated cities and have higher rates of underlying health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and asthma, she said.

Dr Birx said ethnic minorities also worked in essential jobs during the pandemic.

“They are the ones that kept food on our tables, they are the ones that drove the trucks. They are the ones that did the deliveries,” she said.

“They are the ones that went to the hospitals and went to really care for those of us who needed it the most.”