People from ethnic minority backgrounds in Britain “face greater barriers” when trying to protect themselves from coronavirus, according to a report.
The Runnymede Trust, a race equality think-tank, said Bangladeshi and black African people were most vulnerable.
Jobs, households and using public transport are all said to be risk factors.
The government said it is working to help ethnic minorities, who have been disproportionately harmed by Covid-19.
There is growing evidence that people from those communities are at greater risk from the virus.
The Runnymede Trust also warned important public safety messages aimed at reducing transmission were currently not reaching all black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities.
The survey of 2,585 adults in Great Britain, including 750 from BAME backgrounds, suggests ethnic minorities are “over-exposed” because they are more likely to live in multigenerational households, which can reduce the ability to self-isolate and shield from the virus.
Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Black African groups are said to be the most likely to live in “overcrowded housing”.
And more than a quarter of people from BAME backgrounds classified themselves as a “key worker” (28%), compared with 23% of white British people questioned in the same survey.
‘We are not in the same boat’
BAME key workers were also more likely to report feeling as if they had faced additional risks through not having adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
The survey found those from ethnic minority backgrounds were also more likely to say they had used public transport during lockdown – which could increase the chance of transmission because they are enclosed spaces.
The Runnymede Trust said all these factors helped to explain why certain parts of society had been hardest hit during the pandemic.
“While we have all faced the same storm, we are not in the same boat.” said Dr Zubaida Haque, interim director of the trust.
“Our findings explain why we are seeing outbreaks in places like Leicester, densely populated areas with multigenerational households. Many people are also struggling to pay bills so have to leave their homes to work.
“Temporary housing and financial support should be made available to facilitate those who need to self-isolate.”
The report also found ethnic minorities are less likely to know about government messaging like “Stay Home” and economic measures like the furlough scheme.
It recommends the NHS Test and Trace system needs to be better at reaching the most vulnerable, including working closer with local authorities who already have trusted relationships with their communities.
A statement from the Department for Health said: “We know that Covid-19 has had a disproportionate effect on people from Bame backgrounds, and, following the findings of the Public Health England report, the equalities minister is now taking forward vital work to tackle these disparities and protect our most vulnerable communities from the impact of the virus.”
To date, we estimate 314 UK Cypriots (Greek, Turkish and Maronite) in total have died from Coronavirus. The figure includes 278 in London and 36 outside London.
The total fatalities now include 182 UK Greek Cypriots, 96 UK Turkish Cypriots and one UK Maronite Cypriot, all from London. Included in the UK Greek Cypriots are three married couples and two brothers. A total of 275 UK Cypriot deaths have been recorded in London.
Outside London, there were nine UK Greek Cypriots and one UK Turkish Cypriot from Birmingham, three UK Greek Cypriots from Weston-super-Mare, who were all from the same family, one from Derby, one from Lowestoft, one from Cambridge, one from Cheltenham, three UK Greek Cypriots and one UK Maronite Cypriot from Liverpool, one UK Greek Cypriot from Luton, one from Southend, one from Glasgow, one from Newport, one from Leeds, one from Hemel Hempstead, one from Manchester one from Middlesborough, one from Margate and one from Wakefield. Four UK Turkish Cypriots, one each from Colchester, Maidstone, two Northampton and Suffolk, passed away, bringing the total number of UK Cypriot deaths outside London to 36.
It appears most of the deaths were the result of contact prior to the lockdown at events attracting large crowds – weddings, funerals, religious services and national events such as football matches. But now with government restrictions being loosened Pubs, restaurants and hair dressers there is a fear of a rise in people coming into contact with covid19.
