Latino COVID-19 Deaths Hit 'Horrifying' Levels, up 1,000% Since November in L.A. County

By Joshua Summers First Posted: Feb 09, 2021 10:02 PM EST

(Photo : Arnold Jerocki)
A nurse brings thoughts to a patient in the Covid-19 department of Joseph Imbert hospital on February 09, 2021 in Arles, France.

COVID-19 is further wreaking havoc as it continues to affect more and more individuals and even social groups across the globe. In the United States, Latinos, Asians, and people of color are present and were caught on lockdown when SARS-CoV-2 introduced itself to the public, causing confusion and panic.

Among the minorities, Latinos are severely affected by the global pandemic, and COVID-19 deaths are also a significant toll among their people.

As of February 9, the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded about 2,320,497 deaths due to COVID-19 worldwide. In America alone, WHO notes that about 459,993 deaths because of coronavirus are recorded. Spectrum News 1 reports that in Los Angeles County, COVID-19 deaths among Latinos have surged up to 1000 percent, which is concerning.

High levels of mortality due to COVID-19

ABC 7 News references an interview with Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County health officials saying that the rate of death of Latinos is three times that of the white communities, furthering that the COVID-19 deaths among Latinos are 1000 percent since November.

The Guardian notes that Los Angeles is facing one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the United States amidst the winter surge that has left hospitals throughout the region overwhelmed.

The average number of deaths is 3.5 per 100,000 residents in November, but now it is 40 per 100,000 residents. The county's population is composed of 48.6 percent Latinos, but they are meeting their demise at a rate of more than one and a half times that of all Los Angeles residents.

Why Latinos?

There are notable causes why Latinos are the most affected in Los Angeles during the pandemic. One is because they need to work just like every individual. Latinos are the backbone of California's economy in terms of essential workers required to leave their safe home just to get their job done.

Los Angeles Times also notes that 55% of Latinos in the county are employed in essential front-line jobs exposed to coronavirus. According to L.A. Times, the second reason is that L.A. County has an astounding rent, and if five people live together in a one-bedroom space, then the virus will contract and infect them easily.

Meanwhile, Dr. Davis shares with ABC 7 that they are trying to make sure that the risk is alleviated in the workplace and housing is available for those who cannot isolate or quarantine. The third reason is the high demand for the vaccine is also responsible for the mortality of Latinos.

L.A. Times explains that the priority for the vaccine as of the moment are the health care workers, seniors, and those who live in nursing homes.

The pandemic can be seen as a race against time since more and more people like Latinos are affected. Apart from the virus, time is also running on its way to deciding COVID-19 deaths taking so much for the family members who will be left.

WATCH: Latinos In Los Angeles Twice As Likely To Catch Coronavirus As White Neighbors from NBC News